JAIL AND SHELTER USE IN THE RICHMOND REGION Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. (803) x11

Background: Homeless Ex-offenders 71.3% of adults experiencing homelessness report that they have spent time in jail and/or prison (January, 2016).

Background: Homeless Ex-offenders Of those homeless (streets or shelter) prior to incarceration, 80.2% were homeless upon release. For those not homeless prior to incarceration, this percentage is 18.3%.

Data Matches Comparisons between jail data and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS – aka HCIS for Homeward Community Information System) May 2009 – April 2010 – examine overlap (2010) 2006 – 2010 – examine overlap and frequent users (2011/2012)

Overlap Between Jail and Shelter Use: 5/09 – 4/10 In September 2010, one year’s worth of data on adults from the Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) and the Richmond Justice Center (RJC) was matched to examine the overlap between people who use area shelters and the RJC. 7.4% (828/11,203) of RJC inmates had been in an area shelter during the year. 31.5% (828/2627) of adults who had stayed in area shelters had been in jail during the year.

Highlights ShelterJail and shelterJail More episodes of homelessness Higher classification levels Held longer prior to sentencing No differences in gender or family status No differences in sentence length or gender

Frequent Users of Jail and Shelter In March 2011, we decided to match five year’s worth of data ( ) on adults from the Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) and the Richmond Justice Center (RJC) and look at clients within the overlap who could be considered frequent users of both systems. 32.4% (2685/ 8289) of adults who had stayed in area shelters had been in jail during the five- year period. 7.4% (2685/ 36,377) of RJC inmates had been in an area shelter during the five-year period.

Frequent Users of Jail and Shelter Of the 2685 clients who had spent time in both jail and shelter, 1623 (60.4%) were frequent users (4+ stays) of jail or shelter. 40.8% (1095/ 2685) qualify as frequent users of shelter. 33.3% (893/ 2685) qualify as frequent users of jail.

Frequent User Highlights ShelterJail and shelterJail No significant differences in gender, family status, and disability status More likely male Less likely accompanied by children in shelter More likely disability Slightly more likely veteran More likely veteran

Mr. A’s Story Median total time in jail and shelter: 277 days (41 shelter, 236 jail) 36 year old, single adult Black male. Has been in shelter four times. Spent a few weeks in shelter in early 2005 and then returned a few more times in When he first sought shelter, he had been homeless and living outdoors for at least a couple years. Beginning in May 2007 through August 2010, he went to jail six times. Once, he was released in the same day, but a few times, he stayed at least a month. The past two times he was arrested, he’s only been in jail for a couple days. Has been in and out of jail since 1992, with a break in when he was in prison. Usual charges: felony narcotics, felony forgery, larceny, and felonious assault.

Mr. B’s Story Median jail time: 146 days; 97 days in shelter Mr. B. is a 47 year old, single White male who has physical and alcohol-related disabilities. Has been incarcerated 13 times during this five year period, mostly for just one or two days. The one exception is a stay of about three months. During this same period, he has been in and out of shelter many times, with most stays being fairly short – a week or two. He has had eight shelter stays during this time. History of incarceration in RJC goes back to 1997, with multiple convictions for drunk in public, trespassing, and petty larceny.

Mr. C’s Story Median shelter time: 74 days; 1140 days in jail Mr. C. is a 52 year old, single Black male. He has drug and alcohol-related disabilities and has been incarcerated 12 times during this five year period. Although he has had some brief stays, he has also had several longer period of incarceration (e.g., 4-6 months). He has been staying in area shelters for the past seven years, usually just for a night, though he did try to get treatment for his substance abuse problems in It appears that he left the program and was arrested just a few days later. Overall, he has had five stays in shelter. Has had charges of trespassing, felony narcotics, drunk in public, disorderly conduct, and an old DUI, as well as a couple assaults on law enforcement.

Links Available at research: research The Relationship between Incarceration in the Richmond City Jail and Stays in Local Homeless Shelters (one year data match) The Relationship between Incarceration in the Richmond City Jail and Stays in Local Homeless Shelters over a Five Year Period (five year data match)