Peer mentoring in reentry: Breaking the cycle of recidivism.

Behind the grim statistics lies a hidden struggle that perpetuates a vicious cycle.

Two-thirds of individuals released from state and federal prisons find themselves back behind bars within three years. They face an uphill battle, grappling with discrimination, homelessness, poverty, dysfunctional relationships, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

But amidst the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope – reentry peer support. Discover how this powerful form of support can transform lives, break the cycle of recidivism, and create thriving communities.

Reentry Challenges.

Job market.

Previously convicted individuals face significant challenges when it comes to reentering the labor market. As a result of employers' unwillingness to hire people with criminal records, released prisoners have difficulties finding and maintaining employment after re-entry (Urban Institute, 2003). Many factors contribute to limited employment opportunities, including a criminal record, limited education, the stigma of incarceration, and a lack of employment history, and the COVID-19 Pandemic only made things worse (Stabley, 2021). Most formerly incarcerated individuals find employment and work in low-skilled jobs (Urban Institute, 2003) in food service, wholesale, maintenance, or manufacturing. These employment opportunities provide few benefits and very few opportunities for upward mobility. Furthermore, previously incarcerated individuals who secure employment tend to earn lower wages than they did before incarceration (Urban Institute, 2003). Reentering communities with limited employment opportunities and resources increases the likelihood of reoffending.

Housing.

Re-entering individuals also face difficulties finding and securing housing. As a result of the high risk of residential instability after release, some may experience homelessness (Fontaine, 2013). It is common for individuals to leave prison with limited financial resources to rent an apartment. It is also difficult for these individuals to be considered viable candidates for housing due to strict housing policies--many private market rental housing associations have policies against renting to people with criminal records (Cortes & Rogers, 2010) and individuals with past drug or felony convictions are ineligible for public housing (Dougherty, 2012). Several studies have demonstrated that the first month after release is a vulnerable period during which one is at a high risk of becoming homeless and/or reoffending (Cortes & Rogers, 2010). Access to affordable housing options and lenient policies can facilitate an individual's transition back into their respective communities and play an important role in preventing recidivism.

Accessing public assistance.

It is also difficult for returning individuals to access public assistance. Most states prohibit individuals with felony drug convictions from receiving federally funded public assistance and food stamps (Bolen, 2021). Individuals reentering the community are ineligible even if they have completed their sentence, overcome their addiction, or earned a certificate of rehabilitation (Bolen, 2021). When reentering individuals are denied public assistance, they will have difficulty supporting themselves after leaving the criminal justice system, which increases the likelihood of returning to criminal activity and drug use.

What can we do to address the significant and widespread challenges with navigating reentry?

Reentry Peer Support.

Breaking this cycle is important for not only improving the lives of these individuals, but also bettering society as a whole and improving public safety. Successful reentry programs give formerly incarcerated individuals the opportunity to become productive members of society and make a meaningful difference in the community by providing the support they need to access the tools, resources, and stability to rebuild their lives for the better.

According to research, social support is one essential way to help break the cycle of recidivism. In fact, Kjellstrand et al. (2017) found that social support is important for incarcerated people during the reentry process, not just for finding housing and employment, but also for facilitating an overall sense of wellbeing. 

Social support can also buffer the negative effects of everyday stress. Formerly incarcerated adults often don't have a great deal of support, unfortunately. 

Social support is divided into four types: companionship, emotional, informational, and instrumental. 

• Companionship refers to the presence of others with whom to engage in shared activities. 
• Emotional support describes the support that assists others through shared expressed understanding or otherwise showing that a person is valued.
• Information support refers to the offering of facts, advice, or other information.
• Instrumental support is the provision of tangible resources or services such as transportation, money, housing, or material goods.

Peer Mentoring.

“Mentoring is one way to provide support, especially for individuals who have become socially isolated from community-based friends and family during incarceration or who need to avoid problematic friends, relatives, or partners who are still involved in risky or criminal behavior, who endorse the commission of harmful behaviors, and/or who are otherwise difficult to be around,” said Kjellstrand et al. in their 2021 article. 

In such programs, individuals who return to their communities are paired with a non-familial adult who provides practical assistance and psychological support to help in the reentry process. 

Kjellstrand et al. (2021) interviewed 26 people who were recently released from prison and returned to their community to find out what successful reentry means to them, what kind of support they get from their mentors, and what they think mentorship means. Half of the participants participated in a mentorship program, and a control group of equal size was not assigned a mentor. Both groups were residents of a transitional housing program after release.

Mentor/mentee relationships lasted for 6 months, 90 days pre- and 90 days post-release. Mentors/mentees communicated regularly during this period through letter writing and/or phone calls while in prison, and after release, for 4 to 6 hours of in-person contact per month.

Successful Reentry Programs.

In addition to avoiding recidivism, participants identified many other benefits of the mentoring program. In the Kjellstrand et al. study, the four most frequently mentioned were:

1. Being financially stable and independent,
2. Maintaining a healthy and prosocial lifestyle,
3. Contributing positively to family and the broader community, and
4. Being content. 

Overall, participants reported that peer mentorship was extremely helpful, especially in terms of companionship and emotional support.

“Participants enjoyed having a companion with whom to attend events, engage in activities, or simply talk. Emotional support, especially in the form of encouragement around challenging situations or being emotionally available, was also appreciated by the participants. These types of support made the participants feel valued, cared for, and connected to others. The support also seemed to motivate participants to continue to do their best despite challenges as well as make them feel like they mattered to someone,” Kjellstrand said.

Reentry programs that help former offenders rebuild their lives, such as the mentor program in Kjellstrand et al.’s research, are vital for individual and community wellbeing. 

Reentry programs that include peer mentorship have countless benefits for the community:

1. Recidivism reduction, which decreases crime and contributes to safer communities.
2. They help returning citizens find meaningful work and get back on track.
3. Individuals with substance abuse problems have access to much-needed support and counseling.

Interested in peer reentry support?

Interested in learning more about becoming an effective peer support specialist? There are many opportunities in the community and many ways to receive training as a peer mentor, depending on where you live or where you want to serve.

Search for "reentry peer support" organizations in your area to serve formerly incarcerated individuals and promote wellbeing and flourishing in your community. We are associated with several reentry support organizations in California (Testimony Ministries), Michigan (Fresh Coast Alliance), and Washington (House of Mercy Ministries), and so many more. Let us know, and we'll make the connection.

LaBarbera Learning Solutions offers a low-cost, online, self-paced, interactive peer support training course. Check it out here.