Breaking the Cycle

Re-Entry Supportive Housing and Rockefeller Drug Law Reform

This policy brief outlines the important role supportive housing can play to reduce incarceration rates in New York State. Citing an array of sources, it contends that supportive housing reduces recidivism rates among the formerly incarcerated and prevents at-risk people from entering prisons and jails in the first place. The document was published shortly after the historic 2009 reforms to New York's Rockafeller Drug Laws. It concludes with three policy recommendations for New York State: 1) Dedicate $5 million to fund 250 additional units of re-entry supportive housing, 2) Begin service planning and identification of those who could benefit from re-entry supportive housing and 3) Measure outcomes for those who receive re-entry supportive housing, including their reductions in recidivism and homelessness.

 

 

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