Pamela,
When Pam Thompson was released from prison, she couldn't find housing. Landlords wouldn't rent to her because of her conviction history. Employers, too, wouldn't hire her.
"I just hit wall after wall," Thompson said. Millions of people who return to their communities from jail or prison each year struggle to access housing, employment, and health care: basic necessities to rebuild their lives after incarceration. Thompson started taking more risks just to make ends meet and ended up back in prison. She is far from alone. Research shows that about 71 percent of people exiting prison are rearrested within five years. |
Pamela: Breaking this cycle of crime requires a smarter approach to public safety. Here are three Vera-supported solutions that work: |
- Diversion programs move people out of the traditional criminal justice system and enable them to remain in their communities. This builds long-term community safety and is far more cost-efficient than spending on prisons and jails.
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- Restorative justice approaches bring together people harmed by crime and those responsible for the harm, prioritize healing and accountability over punishment. Participants are less likely to be rearrested than people prosecuted and sentenced in the traditional criminal justice system.
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- Bail reform can help ensure that people are not trapped behind bars, becoming more likely to experience rearrest simply because they cannot pay for their freedom.
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For decades, Vera's research and evidence-based programs have helped to prove that we can hold people accountable in ways that address the underlying issues that lead to criminalized behavior. Together, we can reduce our justice system's reliance on incarceration, break the cycle of crime, and build safer communities for everyone.
Thank you for reading,
Vera Institute of Justice |
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