Examining reintegration challenges from prison in Belgium : a study across various life domains focusing on perspectives before, during and after detention

The nearly 11,000 individuals annually leaving Belgian prisons face various reintegration challenges related to subsistence, support, and intrapersonal conditions (Graffam & Shinkfield, 2012). This study employs a multi-method design, including a prison survey (N=777) and 14 life story interviews to investigate the challenges and how they evolve over time. People experience challenges already pre-detention, but also during incarceration and post-release. Based on the survey, challenges include predetention experiences of homeless- or rooflessness (29.1%) and poverty (37.3%). During detention, many people have debts (71%) and high psychological distress (25.3%). Concerning post-release, they have great concerns about discrimination (31%), finding employment (28.6%) and housing (25.3%). A supportive social network for financial, emotional, and practical support is underscored during and after detention. The narratives unpack these challenges, highlighting their interconnectedness, illustrating how they often coexist and mutually impact each other in both positive and negative ways. This research illuminates pervasive inequalities and exclusions across various life domains throughout the life course, emphasizing their interconnectedness and impact on reintegration. Insights gained contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complexity of post-detention challenges, informing potential policy interventions and support mechanisms for successful reintegration into society.

Jaar van publicatie:2024

Toegankelijkheid:Closed