Social Problem And Vulnerable Populations It Impacts

Social problem and vulnerable populations it impacts

Describe a current social problem and the vulnerable population it impacts. Social Reintegration is one of the biggest social problems in the United States.

More than 500,000 individuals are freed from prison every year, with three-quarters of those released being apprehended again within five years of their release. Men and women who have been released from correctional facilities find it difficult to reintegrate into their communities because they lack enough preparation, assistance, and resources. Employment chances, public housing assistance, and access to social services are all affected by a felony conviction on one's criminal record. For those who have served time in jail, re-entry into the workforce is a significant concern. Employers are wary of hiring people with criminal backgrounds, and as a result, freed convicts have a difficult time obtaining and maintaining employment after being released (Obatusin & Ritter-Williams, 2019).

Having even a minor criminal record creates major barriers to employment and has far-reaching consequences. Re-incarceration and unsuccessful re-entry have a devastating impact on communities, families, and individuals. Ex-offenders and those recently released from prison are the most vulnerable populations to this social problem. People from minority groups, notably young black men and those with limited educational opportunities, have been disproportionately harmed by this social problem.

When a person is released from prison, it is generally a very joyous day in their lives for them. It may be thrilling to be reunited with loved ones and the rest of the free world. To expect that the reintegration process into society would be painless, on the other hand, would be a mistake. Former criminals face several difficulties as they strive to rebuild their life. This is particularly true for those who have served a long prison sentence and are on parole.

Since the construction of the first jail in the 1770s, the challenges of prisoner re-entry into society have been a long-standing source of concern in the community. Throughout the twentieth century, however, the issue of discrimination against ex-offenders gained momentum in the public discourse. To address this issue, the United States government has developed a variety of interventions that take place after an arrest to divert offenders away from the criminal justice system and onto a more appropriate measure, such as restorative justice or appropriate therapy, if necessary. After incarcerating criminals, community-based sanctions are used to assist ex-criminals in their efforts to reintegrate into society rather than subjecting them to imprisonment's marginalizing and harmful effects.

Individuals who have been sentenced to prison may use correctional programs in jail and aftercare services following their release. These programs are designed to assist jailed individuals in their efforts to reintegrate into society and lead law-abiding lives. In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on developing comprehensive interventions to provide frequent assistance to offenders both inside and outside of prison. How have the populations affected by the social problem changed over time? Ex-offenders who have challenges integrating back into society often find themselves reoffending.

Since the 1980s, this issue has been more frequent, especially among male ex-offenders. According to the National Institute of Justice, over 43 percent of people recently released return to prison within a year of their release date. The majority of the 500,000 offenders freed in 35 states in 2020 were caught for a new crime within three years of their parole, followed by 78 percent within six years and 82 percent within nine years (Oliveira & Graca, 2021). An extensive number of other factors have a role in recidivism, including the individual's circumstances before imprisonment, events during their incarceration, and the period after their release from prison. Because it is difficult for them to reintegrate into 'regular' society, one of the biggest reasons they wind up back in jail is because they cannot find work.

Many offenders fear their upcoming release because they believe that their lives will be different "this time," which does not always materialize. How might this social problem be incongruent with social work values/ethics? Re-entry into society after a traumatic event, rehabilitation, or jail may be challenging for the individual and their family members to navigate. Most of the time, there are several hurdles in the path of these individuals being mentally healthy, physically clean, and law-abiding citizens. So many social workers are trained to help persons who are reentering society, as well as their relatives and friends who are trying to aid them.

Social workers' responsibilities include, among other things, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable ex-offenders and providing support for their families (Nixon, 2020). Many social worker degrees are offered with various specialties, including jail social work at certain institutions. The goal of these programs is to address the unique difficulties that people who are jailed experience while also making certain that these persons are treated with dignity and worth in the same manner that everyone else is. Individual counseling, treatment assessments for appropriate programs, and group programs are all carried out by social workers to strengthen and support ex-offenders who have been released from prison.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society represents a significant social challenge in the United States, with profound implications for individuals, families, and communities. The core issues revolve around the barriers faced by ex-offenders—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—in securing employment, housing, and social services, which are vital for a successful transition back into society. These barriers not only hinder personal growth but also contribute to high recidivism rates, perpetuating a cycle of incarceration that strains the criminal justice system and destabilizes communities.

Statistically, over 500,000 individuals are released from correctional facilities annually, with approximately 75% re-arrested within five years (Obatusin & Ritter-Williams, 2019). The obstacles faced are compounded by societal stigma, discrimination, and systemic inequities, particularly impacting racial minorities such as young Black men and those with limited education (Oliveira & Graca, 2021). The social problem has been recognized historically, dating back to the establishment of the first jails in the 18th century, but it gained increased focus in the 20th century amidst growing awareness of the negative impacts of criminal justice policies like mass incarceration and systemic biases.

Historically, the approach to addressing reintegration challenges involved community-based sanctions, correctional programs, and post-release services aimed at facilitating lawful living and reducing recidivism. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, as recent data indicates that more than 43% of released individuals return to prison within one year (Oliveira & Graca, 2021). Factors such as employment difficulties, mental health issues, and lack of social support contribute significantly to re-offending. The societal response has evolved to include policies like PUBLIC LAW 110-199, enacted in 2008, which supports funding for programs aimed at reducing recidivism and promoting social reintegration.

Incongruence with social work ethics, the social reintegration issue underscores conflicts related to social justice, dignity, and fairness. Stigma and discrimination against ex-offenders violate principles of respect and equality central to social work values. Social workers, committed to advocating for marginalized populations, face ethical dilemmas in balancing societal safety concerns with the rights and dignity of formerly incarcerated persons. They must navigate the tension between societal perceptions and the ethical imperative to promote empowerment and social inclusion.

The next steps in policy development involve enhancing existing frameworks by integrating evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally competent interventions. This includes early preparation during incarceration, continuous support post-release, community engagement, and anti-discrimination initiatives. As advocates, social workers must collaborate with policymakers, community organizations, and stakeholders to reform policies that perpetuate stigma and to implement comprehensive reentry programs aligned with social work ethics. Such efforts should also prioritize the allocation of resources, capacity building, and public education to foster a more equitable and supportive environment for ex-offenders (Nixon, 2020).

References

• Obatusin, O., & Ritter-Williams, D. (2019). A phenomenological study of employer perspectives on hiring ex-offenders. Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1).
• Oliveira, L., & Graca, D. (2018). Infocommunication skills as a rehabilitation and social reintegration tool for inmates. IGI Global.
• Nickson, T. (2020). Giving back and getting on with my life: Peer mentoring, desistance, and recovery of ex-offenders. Probation Journal, 67(1), 47-64.
• United States Department of Justice. (2020). Recidivism and reentry statistics. https://www.justice.gov/reentry
• Tonry, M. (2018). The influence of public policies on recidivism. Criminal Justice Review, 43(2), 125-142.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2021). Prisoner Reentry. https://bjs.ojp.gov
• Council on Social Work Education. (2022). Code of Ethics. https://cswe.org/
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Ethics Code. https://apa.org/ethics/code
• Clear, T. R. (2016). Imprisoning communities: How mass incarceration makes disadvantaged neighborhoods worse. Oxford University Press.
• LaVigne, N. G., et al. (2018). Reentry employment: Strategies for success. Justice Policy Journal, 15(2), 47-68.