Is There A Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration?

 

Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

Photo Credit: Dabarti - stock.adobe.com

While these blog posts have endeavored to illustrate that those experiencing homelessness are people like any of us - and, thus, no more dangerous than the average New Yorker - it can’t be denied that a disproportionate percentage of this unfortunate population has frequent run-ins with law enforcement. And so, this blog post will discuss the link between homelessness in New York City and rates of incarceration. 

What Is The Relationship Between Homelessness and Incarceration? 

Once again, the authors of this blog post wish to reiterate that homeless New Yorkers are more likely to be the victims of crime rather than the perpetrators. Likewise, many laws are purposefully designed to discriminate against them, thereby creating a hostile environment. 

Nevertheless, these two conditions contribute to a cyclical and symbiotic negative feedback loop. Prior encounters with the legal system will increase one’s likelihood of becoming homeless. Having a criminal record can limit one’s employment and housing prospects as well as eligibility for government assistance. To be clear, lacking these resources will not automatically turn one into a criminal. However, desperation, a natural byproduct, may lead one to commit, say, property crimes, i.e stealing food and clothing or trespassing so as to obtain shelter. 

How Many Homeless New Yorkers Have Been Previously Incarcerated? 

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, the formerly incarcerated are ten times more likely to become homeless than the general population. In New York specifically, two in every five people returning from state prisons are released into shelters or other placements for homeless adults. On a yearly basis, that is upward of 2,000 people. [1] Approximately 11 percent of homeless adults cite previous incarceration as the reason for their unhoused status. [2] Of the approximately 65,981 adults living in New York City homeless shelters, an estimated 7,258 have criminal records. Many of these individuals may be heads of households and, thus, entire families share their condition. 

How Can We Improve Conditions for Formerly Incarcerated Homeless New Yorkers? 

It is vitally important to remember that not all criminal records are equal. While we do not encourage any violation of city, state or federal law, property crimes are very different in nature than violent crimes, though both bear the same consequences for their perpetrators. To a potential employer or landlord, it often does not matter whether you broke into a privately-owned property to escape extreme heat or cold or committed an act of violence. That is why it is critical to promote access to the following in order to reduce recidivism: 

  • Housing programs 
  • Financial assistance 
  • Employment 
  • Healthcare, and
  • Community support 

At Mentor A Promise and its network of partner organizations, services are provided based not on your worst mistakes, but rather your present need. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

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