{"id":10785,"date":"2016-10-11T13:10:59","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T18:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccano.flywheelsites.com\/?p=10785"},"modified":"2022-12-23T08:55:11","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T14:55:11","slug":"ending-recidivism-re-entry-72","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ccano.org\/blog\/ending-recidivism-re-entry-72\/","title":{"rendered":"Ending the Issue of Recidivism: Re-Entry 72"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (also known as Angola), the thought of entering back into society is such a far off dream that the idea is often forgotten.<\/p>\n

With roughly 71\u00a0percent\u00a0of inmates serving life sentences and the majority of prisoners serving more than 10 years, it\u2019s possible to lose the motivation to prepare for release while serving time. However, for some prisoners, a release date will eventually approach. Sometimes, this date might even come as a complete surprise, with just a few days to prepare.<\/p>\n

The Challenges of Re-Entry<\/h3>\n

For those who have not experienced imprisonment, re-entry might be thought of as the final chapter in a prison sentence. In reality, re-entry is just the start of a hard road and is often more challenging than serving time–while in prison family ties often diminish, housing is lost, and job prospects seem unattainable with a felony charge.<\/p>\n

With the challenge of adjusting to a \u201cnormal\u201d life ahead, these obstacles make rejoining society very difficult. Because of this, the choice to revert to illegal activities becomes a tempting option.<\/p>\n

All of these obstacles make the first 72 hours following release one of the most critical points in the life of a previously incarcerated individual. Catholic Charities’ Re-Entry 72 program<\/strong>\u00a0provides immediate support, housing and a job for returning inmates in order to reduce recidivism.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Does Recidivism Occur?<\/h3>\n

In the state of Louisiana, roughly 15,000 prisoners are released each year. Within five years, nearly\u00a050 percent<\/a> of those individuals will re-offend and be sent back to prison.<\/p>\n

Many of these re-offenses occur within the first 72 hours of an individual being released. However, if released prisoners can find and hold a job for three\u00a0years, that rate drops by more than 50 percent.<\/p>\n

Why is this? Some prisons send inmates back into society with only a bus ticket and the belongings they came into prison with. If that individual has lost their connection to family, chances are they don\u2019t have a place to live. With a felony charge, procuring a job becomes even more difficult.<\/p>\n

Clearly, this transition period is filled with stressors that might cause an individual to break the law. As Leo Jackson (who has experienced re-entry and is now Cornerstone Builders\u2019 Assistant Program Director) described, \u201cThe first 72 hours is the most critical time for a person transitioning out of prison. It\u2019s during that time a decision is going to be made whether he goes back to the streets or he is going to pursue a legitimate life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Re-Entry 72 aims to eliminate as many obstacles within the first 72 hours as possible.<\/p>\n