Reentry
After serving their sentence, many prisoners reentering society face obstacles such as low incomes, unemployment and lack of housing. The Department of Corrections' Minnesota Comprehensive Offender Reentry Plan, 2009 reports that, from FY2002 to FY2008, Minnesota’s prison population has increased 33% and is projected to increase by 2% each year until 2013. Ninety-five percent of all prisoners return to the community and over one third of these prisoners has a reconviction three years post-release. Problems associated with reentry impact prison overcrowding and public safety.
Several national organizations have proposed plans and policies to promote successful reentry into society:
From Prison to Work: A Proposal for a National Prisoner Reentry Program. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, c2008.
National Blueprint for Reentry: Model Policies to Promote the Successful Reentry of Individuals with Criminal Records through Employment and Education. New York: Legal Action Center, 2008.
Yoon, Jamie. Reentry Partnerships: A Guide for States and Faith-based Community Organizations. New York: Council of State Governments Justice Center, 2008.
To borrow these books or for further information about reentry or any other topic, email the Legislative Reference Library or call us at 651-296-8338.
Many of the items listed below are available electronically. If so, we have provided a
link to the document. However, some of the documents may be very long. You can request to
borrow our print copy of any of the items by selecting the check-box and clicking on the
"Request Items" button.