The Johns Hopkins UniversityCELL BLOCKS AND STREET BLOCKS: A THREE STATE ANALYSIS OF EX-OFFENDER REENTRY byJoseph S. ReedA thesis submitted to the Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in GovernmentBaltimore, MarylandMay 6, 20082008 Joseph ReedAll Rights ReservedAbstractThe recidivism rate of ex-offenders in America continues to increase each decade, and each decade the debate on the subject of recidivism begins and ends with nothing truly accomplished. Many studies on this subject state that it is through rehabilitation that the recidivism rate can truly be reduced. Can the recidivism rate be lowered with a revision of the reentry and rehabilitation programs available to ex-offenders? After analyzing three states identified as having the best, worst, and mid-range reentry systems in the country, it was concluded in this thesis that the key to reducing recidivism is to create a national recidivism program by which all states can follow. This program needs to have a centralized management structure, be adequately funded, address issues such as ex-offender housing, finding affordable health insurance for ex-offenders, reducing the effects of prisonization, helping ex-offenders to find employment and maintaining inmates relationships with family members, and continuing education for skill enhancement. By adequately addressing these issues and centralizing the management of the reentry programs nationwide, a reduction of the recidivism rate should follow.AcknowledgementsA number of people and organizations deserve special recognition for their contributions to this thesis. I would like to thank my thesis advisors, Dr. Benjamin Ginsburg, Dr. Dorthora Wolfson, and Peter Black for assisting me in the completion of this thesis, their guidance and patience was much appreciated. My professors at John Hopkins and my undergraduate school, Hampton University, deserve acknowledgement as well. It was through them that I learned how to conduct research and present it in a scholarly manner. I would like to thank Mark Mauer from the Sentencing Project and everyone from the Urban Institute and the Department of Justice who took the time out of their busy schedules to talk to me. The NAACP Washington Bureau deserves special recognition as well. It was through my employment with the NAACP that I not only became aware of this subject but was put in contact with those that would help me begin my research.I would like to thank my mother and father for assisting my in the completion of this thesis. Their reading and re-reading helped me to fine tune my paper so that it not only it made sense but was error-free. I honestly could not have finished this thesis without their help. I would also like to thank my fiance Gabbrielle Eskridge for her contributions to this project. Without her encouragement and faith in my abilities to complete this thesis and this program, I might not have been able mentally able to continue. Thank you.123Table of ContentsAbstract.iiAcknowledgement.iiiChapter 1- Introduction.1Chapter2- Causes of Recidivism.21Causes stemming from Poverty.21The Health of Inmates and Ex-offenders. 27Housing Needs of Ex-offenders.34Families and Ex-offenders.41The Public Defender System and Plea Bargaining .43Prisonization.48Chapter 3- Reentry in Maryland, Michigan and California.50Reentry in Maryland.50Reentry in Michigan.58Reentry in California.66Chapter 4- Comparisons and Recommendations.75Poverty.75The Health of Inmates and Ex-offenders79Housing Needs of Ex-offenders.84Families and Ex-offenders.91The Public Defender System and Plea Bargaining .95Prisonization95Chapter 5- Conclusion.98Addendum.110Bibliography.111Curriculum Vita.124Chapter 1IntroductionPrisons. Ex-convicts. Criminals. For many, these words immediately conjure visions of rapists, murderers, child molesters and other less than respectable members of society. Americans want to lock these men and women away in state and federal prisons with the hopes that they will learn from their sentences and reform. Unfortunately, reality is far from Americans best wishes. Despite the population of countries such as China, America has the highest prison population in the world. Even though America has less than 5% of the worlds populati