The Political Dynamics of Justice Reform in The U.S.

Those who return to disadvantaged neighborhoods have a higher chance of recidivism
than those who return to communities with rich and affluent resources. Lack of stable
housing and resources to combat mental health and drug and alcohol abuse create
obstacles for formerly incarcerated to successfully reintegrate.
Former prisoners are incarcerated multiple times, increasing recidivism rates, because
of many factors that often do not include real crime. Most often they are re-incarcerated
because of strict parole rules and regulations. Advocates of parole reform perceive
these regulations as not being focus on community well being but instead on controlling
parolees. A report for Columbia University's Justice lab showed that in the four years
since January 1, 2018, New York City's jail population declined by 21%. However,
during this time period, the population of individuals incarcerated due to parole
violations increased by 15%.
There are many forms of successful re-entry. Government intervention such as
implementing "wrap-around" services are proven to help income and boost
employment. Comprehensive social services that offer independent housing and jobs
alongside counseling and rehabilitation help formerly incarcerated reintegrate.
The Second Chance Act was passed with bipartisan support in an effort to reduce
recidivism rates and improve outcomes for individuals following their released from
juvenile facilities, jails and prisons. Second Chance Grant Programs include those that
focus on substance use and mental disorders, mentoring and transitional services for
adults, improvement for the outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system, and
technology career training.
The "Band the Box" Act is a program that has been implemented in 23 states that offers
fair chance hiring for the formerly incarcerated by eliminating the requirement of
addressing criminal history on employment applications This act strives to end criminal
record discrimination and has improved employment opportunities for formerly
incarcerated with employers such as Target, Starbucks, and Home Depot. "Ban the
Box" also influences racial discrimination as employers began to guess who has
criminal records, and individuals mostly targeted by these assumptions are Hispanics
and Blacks.
Juvenile Justice Reform
The push for reform within juvenile justice highlights the notion that Black and Latinx
individuals, especially males, are criminalized prior to adulthood. The juvenile justice
system is viewed in the same light as the criminal justice system as a form of social
control that incapacitates Black and Latinx youth. Criminalization is also thought to
occur in other social institutions such as school businesses, the streets and community
centers. The juvenile justice system itself is also often criticized by reformers for
perpetuating the notion that non-criminal individuals are criminal. The majority of
individuals that enter the system have committed non-violent offenses, but still
experience the effects of indirect punishment, direct punishment, and criminalization of
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