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Homelessness as viewed by incarcerated women: participatory research.
- Source :
- International Journal of Prisoner Health; Jul2012, Vol. 8 Issue 3/4, p108-116, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, by incarcerated women who were members of a prison participatory health research team, of a survey tool regarding homelessness and housing, the survey findings and recommendations for policy. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was developed by incarcerated women in a minimum/medium security women's prison in Canada. Associations were examined between socio-demographic factors and reports of difficulty finding housing upon release, homelessness contributing to a return to crime, and a desire for relocation to another city upon release. Open-ended questions were examined to look for recurrent themes and to illuminate the survey findings. Findings – In total, 83 women completed the survey, a 72 per cent response rate. Of the 71 who were previously incarcerated, 56 per cent stated that homelessness contributed to their return to crime. Finding housing upon release was a problem for 63 per cent and 34 per cent desired relocation to another city upon release. Women indicated that a successful housing plan should incorporate flexible progressive staged housing. Research limitations/implications – The present study focuses only on incarcerated women but could be expanded in future to include men. Practical implications – Incarcerated women used the findings to create a housing proposal for prison leavers and created a resource database of the limited housing resources for women prison leavers. Social implications – Lack of suitable housing is a major factor leading to recidivism. This study highlights the reality of the cycle of homelessness, poverty, crime for survival, street-life leading to drug use and barriers to health, education and employment that incarcerated women face. Originality/value – Housing is a recognized basic determinant of health. No previous studies have used participatory research to address homelessness in a prison population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HOMELESSNESS
HOUSING
MENTAL illness
SUBSTANCE-induced disorders
MENTAL depression
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17449200
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 3/4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Prisoner Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 90123754
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1108/17449201211284987