A recent feature in Harvard
Magazine discusses a new study on the challenges that formerly
incarcerated persons in the Boston area face during their first year out of
prison. The study is conducted by Bruce Western, a Harvard sociology professor
and expert on issues of mass incarceration in the United States. Western tracks
persons recently released from the Massachusetts prison system, interviewing
them about their experiences and remaining in contact with friends, family,
community street-workers, and the Boston police.
Highlighting both the many social
challenges reentrants face and the issue of mass incarceration as a public
policy concern, Western’s work looks at how social support services can help
reduce recidivism. The article situates this study amongst the many problems
associated with incarceration, including the annual cost of imprisonment, the
prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse problems among those
incarcerated, the psychological challenge of reintegration, and the lack of
social services available for reentrants. Check out the Harvard Magazine article here, for more
information.
