1. Family Connections and Prisoner Reentry
Damian J. Martinez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

2. Outline Corrections in the US and AZ Release Data
Release Issues and the Family
Former Prisoner-Family Relationships
Existing Research on Family Support Processes
Current Initiatives
Recommendations and Promising Interventions

3. Corrections in US
2.3 million held in state and federal prisons, and local jails
1.6 million under correctional supervision
756 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents (751 in 2006)
More than 5 million under the supervision of probation and parole (3.8 million in 1995)
More than 8 in 10 on community supervision were on probation

4. Corrections in Arizona
38,000: 3rd largest absolute increase (1,945)
4th largest percent increase (5.4%) of all states
73,000 on probation and 12,000 on parole
12,000 individuals left parole—9,200 completed
15% (2,800) of parolees returned to incarceration

5. Release Data 725,402 released from state and federal prisons
798,202 on parole or mandatory conditional release following a prison term (1 in every 284 adults)
Parolee offenses: 26% violent, 24% property, and 37% drug
44% of 519,200 parolees who exited supervision completed their full-term parole sentence or were released from supervision early
Since 2000, this proportion has remained stable (43% in 2000), 39% returned to incarceration, and 11% absconded
1 in 6 persons under parole supervision during 2006 was returned to incarceration

6. Release Issues and the Family
Informal social controls, such as the family, can have a more positive impact than formal social controls
Majority of former prisoners eventually return to and interact with their family members, and rely on them for some form of support and direction
Former prisoners rely on family members as a major agent to avoid prison life

7. Former Prisoner-Family Relationships
When former prisoners choose or are assigned to a residence, particularly with a family member, they must both negotiate implicitly and/or explicitly, the expectations for both
Support interactions depend largely on the individuals’ perception of the main purpose of the interaction
Determining the quality, level of involvement, and resource base are important factors affecting relationship outcomes

8. Assessing the Familial Context
To what extent do family members have the resources—for example, financial, informational, and emotional—to support a former prisoner?
To what extent are they themselves involved in criminal or not-so-legal endeavors?
To what extent can they monitor and/or reprimand behavior deemed unacceptable?
To what extent are family members in a problematic situation unrelated to the former prisoners?
To what extent should family members even be relied upon?

9. Research on Family Support Processes
Support is bidirectional and contributes greatly to improvements in social and mental health
Nelson, Deess, & Allen (1999): 82% (of 49) of the released prisoners were residing with a relative, spouse, or partner within two days after release, and provided support within 1 month
La Vigne, Visher, & Castro (2004): More than 62% (296) of returning prisoners resided with family members upon their release
Within 4 to 8 months, 88% resided with a family member and 92% received financial support and more than 50% had a family member with drug or alcohol problems

10. Research on Family Support Processes
O’Brien (2001): Shelter and family support after release from prison was of utmost importance for positive reentry
Naser & La Vigne (2006): Of 413 former prisoners, 86% resided with family members, 92% would assist with finding a residence if needed, and more than 50% received financial help
Illegal substance use declined by 80 percent for La Bodega de la Familia clients after treatment, while substance use by a comparison group declined by only 42 percent (Sullivan, Mino, Nelson, & Pope, 2002)
Naser &Visher (2006): 83% (of 247) provided former prisoners with financial support, 76% allowed the individual to live with the family, and 40% helped with housing

11. Current Federal Initiative
Second Chance Act
Family relationship building and family involvement in comprehensive services
Family-based substance abuse treatment
Collecting information on family relationships, responsibilities, and contacts
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) research on family connections.

12. Current State Initiatives
Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative—”In Reach” Approach
Oregon DOC—”Smart Start” Packet
Georgia Reentry Impact Project—Transition Accountability Plan
Missouri DOC—Case Management Teams
Allegheny County DHS in Pennsylvania –Financial assistance with housing
Kansas City, Kansas—Gracious Promise Foundation: Post-release housing, counseling and case management services, and adult mentoring services.
Providence, Rhode Island—Family Life Center : Community Living Consultants
John Inmann Work and Family Center of the Colorado DOC—Case Management Model
La Bodega de La Familia Model –Family Case Management Model

13. Recommendations and Promising Interventions
Inquiry must be made to determine the count, quality, resource base, suitability, and status of family situations
Employ methods to improve family levels of communication and input on helping the former prisoners, and methods to detect and respond to potential criminal activity
Use proven, effective programs in prison with the cooperation of treatment, employment, and family providers outside of prison to ensure a continuity of care upon the individuals’ release