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Homeward: Life in the Year After Prison
In the era of mass incarceration, over 600,000 people are released from federal or state prison each year, with many returning to chaotic living environments rife with violence. In these circumstances, how do former prisoners navigate reentering society? In Homeward, sociologist Bruce Western examines the tumultuous first year after release from prison. Drawing from in-depth interviews with over one hundred individuals, he describes the lives of the formerly incarcerated and demonstrates how poverty, racial inequality, and failures of social support trap many in a cycle of vulnerability despite their efforts to rejoin society.
Western and his research team conducted comprehensive interviews with men and women released from the Massachusetts state prison system who returned to neighborhoods around Boston. Western finds that for most, leaving prison is associated with acute material hardship. In the first year after prison, most respondents could not afford their own housing and relied on family support and government programs, with half living in deep poverty. Many struggled with chronic pain, mental illnesses, or addiction—the most important predictor of recidivism. Most respondents were also unemployed. Some older white men found union jobs in the construction industry through their social networks, but many others, particularly those who were black or Latino, were unable to obtain full-time work due to few social connections to good jobs, discrimination, and lack of credentials. Violence was common in their lives, and often preceded their incarceration. In contrast to the stereotype of tough criminals preying upon helpless citizens, Western shows that many former prisoners were themselves subject to lifetimes of violence and abuse and encountered more violence after leaving prison, blurring the line between victims and perpetrators.
Western concludes that boosting the social integration of former prisoners is key to both ameliorating deep disadvantage and strengthening public safety. He advocates policies that increase assistance to those in their first year after prison, including guaranteed housing and health care, drug treatment, and transitional employment. By foregrounding the stories of people struggling against the odds to exit the criminal justice system, Homeward shows how overhauling the process of prisoner reentry and rethinking the foundations of justice policy could address the harms of mass incarceration.
Western and his research team conducted comprehensive interviews with men and women released from the Massachusetts state prison system who returned to neighborhoods around Boston. Western finds that for most, leaving prison is associated with acute material hardship. In the first year after prison, most respondents could not afford their own housing and relied on family support and government programs, with half living in deep poverty. Many struggled with chronic pain, mental illnesses, or addiction—the most important predictor of recidivism. Most respondents were also unemployed. Some older white men found union jobs in the construction industry through their social networks, but many others, particularly those who were black or Latino, were unable to obtain full-time work due to few social connections to good jobs, discrimination, and lack of credentials. Violence was common in their lives, and often preceded their incarceration. In contrast to the stereotype of tough criminals preying upon helpless citizens, Western shows that many former prisoners were themselves subject to lifetimes of violence and abuse and encountered more violence after leaving prison, blurring the line between victims and perpetrators.
Western concludes that boosting the social integration of former prisoners is key to both ameliorating deep disadvantage and strengthening public safety. He advocates policies that increase assistance to those in their first year after prison, including guaranteed housing and health care, drug treatment, and transitional employment. By foregrounding the stories of people struggling against the odds to exit the criminal justice system, Homeward shows how overhauling the process of prisoner reentry and rethinking the foundations of justice policy could address the harms of mass incarceration.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2018
53 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 15, 2018
Moving and informative book that talked about the diversity among people who end up incarcerated, and their various experiences once released. Also a strong critique of the US prison system and the motivations behind it. Highly recommend.
August 23, 2018
Short, but dense, summary of a study of people leaving prison in the Boston area. Gives voice to the experiences of the incarcerated and their families, and highlights the strong connections between poverty, racism, and crime.
June 7, 2021
"Criminal justice is a poor instrument for social policy because at its core, it is a blaming institution" (185).
In this short and academic book, Bruce Western describes the results of his study, "The Boston Reentry Study," that he and his colleagues conducted in the Boston area in 2012-13. The study features incarcerated men and women who were held in Massachusetts jails and prisons, with a focus on the outcomes of their lives upon release. With a strong focus on family, race, and gender, Western delves into the histories of his participants, unpacking how and why they ended up in prison in the first place, what their lives were like upon release, and often, why they were often re-incarcerated. Western provides real stories that demonstrate the harsh conditions faced by those who leave prison without the proper support in terms of healthcare (mental and physical), assistance with addictions, shelter, and employment, and how this lack of support makes success improbable if not impossible. He also focuses on the role of violence in the lives of his participants, which is a common thread.
I found this book to be sobering, although not surprising. It is an important read if you are interested in the topic.
In this short and academic book, Bruce Western describes the results of his study, "The Boston Reentry Study," that he and his colleagues conducted in the Boston area in 2012-13. The study features incarcerated men and women who were held in Massachusetts jails and prisons, with a focus on the outcomes of their lives upon release. With a strong focus on family, race, and gender, Western delves into the histories of his participants, unpacking how and why they ended up in prison in the first place, what their lives were like upon release, and often, why they were often re-incarcerated. Western provides real stories that demonstrate the harsh conditions faced by those who leave prison without the proper support in terms of healthcare (mental and physical), assistance with addictions, shelter, and employment, and how this lack of support makes success improbable if not impossible. He also focuses on the role of violence in the lives of his participants, which is a common thread.
I found this book to be sobering, although not surprising. It is an important read if you are interested in the topic.
February 6, 2023
10/10 book. Incredible social science research and research design coupled with invaluable narrative work following individuals through a year of re-entry after incarceration.
January 27, 2019
This book deserves WAY more attention than it will likely garner. I had to request my library system order it and it is a small publisher.
Bruce Western and his team followed recently released prisoners, in the Boston area, and creates a narrative of their lives and many challenges, presenting to his readers true-life stories of how much of a difference women make in one's re-entry among a variety of other things.
There are some startling stats contained within, like the percentage of people who are incarcerated have witnessed a murder before becoming a teen. Certainly lack of education and domestic abuse also play a big role in influencing the path of these convicted criminals.
He touches on the concept of the New Jim Crow and presents to us the many barriers to housing and work once someone has served their sentence.
This is an important book that more people should read and deserves a wider distribution. It is a work that could change alot of lives if it would get into the hands of more legislators and leaders. I highly recommend you read this book, encourage your local library to add it to their collection and realize that these prisoners are all sons or daughters, many mothers & dads, sister and brothers, they deserve to be integrated back into society to become tax payers and people active in the wider community.
Bruce Western and his team followed recently released prisoners, in the Boston area, and creates a narrative of their lives and many challenges, presenting to his readers true-life stories of how much of a difference women make in one's re-entry among a variety of other things.
There are some startling stats contained within, like the percentage of people who are incarcerated have witnessed a murder before becoming a teen. Certainly lack of education and domestic abuse also play a big role in influencing the path of these convicted criminals.
He touches on the concept of the New Jim Crow and presents to us the many barriers to housing and work once someone has served their sentence.
This is an important book that more people should read and deserves a wider distribution. It is a work that could change alot of lives if it would get into the hands of more legislators and leaders. I highly recommend you read this book, encourage your local library to add it to their collection and realize that these prisoners are all sons or daughters, many mothers & dads, sister and brothers, they deserve to be integrated back into society to become tax payers and people active in the wider community.
March 11, 2022
A poignant and humanizing account of how formerly-incarcerated people are routinely failed by welfare provisions in their attempt to reintegrate. Western and Co conduct an affirming, critical, and pragmatic panel study that only serves to bolster the impact of their claims regarding how we rethink punishment and inequality in society.
The one critique I have is that while compelling, Western does not address the question of employment, namely how jobs are far and in between in the legal economy, especially for people with less than a high school education. Thus, the underground economy proves both more sustainable and profitable as drugs and the like circulate most heavily in the neighborhoods that these formerly-incarcerated people return to in the end. Without jobs supplementing robust welfare provisions, the cycle is likely to continue. Alternatively, we could also decriminalize drugs and bring them under federal regulation to undermine cartel influence, drug-related violence, and even mortality.
The one critique I have is that while compelling, Western does not address the question of employment, namely how jobs are far and in between in the legal economy, especially for people with less than a high school education. Thus, the underground economy proves both more sustainable and profitable as drugs and the like circulate most heavily in the neighborhoods that these formerly-incarcerated people return to in the end. Without jobs supplementing robust welfare provisions, the cycle is likely to continue. Alternatively, we could also decriminalize drugs and bring them under federal regulation to undermine cartel influence, drug-related violence, and even mortality.
February 20, 2020
It would be easy to dismiss the findings of the Boston Reentry Study on the basis of a small sample size -- a group of inmates interviewed on the eve of their prison releases and throughout their first year of freedom. But Bruce Western surrounds the findings with a lucid examination of the research on crime's causes and solutions. The main takeaway: People don't commit crime out of a sudden impulse to be "evil." They grow out of deep dysfunction and victimization, and turn their hurt on others. The book does not fall into the easy trope that everyone's a victim. Instead, it challenges us to think about how healing the injury done to young people can save all of us a world of hurt down the line. Western writes lucidly (by the standards of academia, at least!). And, while I added this to the tall stack of books I must read for my work, I found myself engrossed in his storytelling about the lives of those his team studied.
November 9, 2019
The stories here will be at least somewhat familiar to anyone who has read about prison reentry--which isn't to say it wasn't worthwhile. I actually enjoyed the section about the methodology more than maybe I should have. One surprising (though maybe it shouldn't have been) fact was that practically no one left prison and returned to live with a romantic partner. The most common place that people went were back to their moms.
The other real insight was about the difference in the black and white prisoner populations. White prisoners tend to be older, with mental health challenges, and because they have fewer people to return home to are more likely to end up in shelters or other institutions. Black prisons are younger and have much better family support systems. But they still have more trouble finding work after they leave prison.
The other real insight was about the difference in the black and white prisoner populations. White prisoners tend to be older, with mental health challenges, and because they have fewer people to return home to are more likely to end up in shelters or other institutions. Black prisons are younger and have much better family support systems. But they still have more trouble finding work after they leave prison.
December 6, 2020
This is an accessible account of a study of ~125 people returning to the Boston area around 2013, following their incarceration in Massachusetts state prisons. It's well-organized, beginning with the study's purpose and methodology, then proceeding to topical chapters that can be read in any order: re-incarceration, racial factors, etc. The data is a fairly engaging mix of statistics that cover the whole study sample and accounts of specific individuals. The individual stories are largely filtered through the author's voice, without many direct quotes, and aren't that detailed, although a few people are revisited in multiple chapters. The author keeps a non-judgmental tone, occasionally bordering on clinical. Related work is mentioned but not deeply discussed, and the book lightly touches on policy implications. There's a substantial bibliography for further reading.
September 15, 2022
Very well written introduction to the Boston reentry study. The data collection part especially how they maintain their sample (as well as the funding required that we can imagine from the narratives) is impressive! The role of unionized jobs and family support mainly coming from female family members are new to me. Some people may not agree about the last chapter, but it is still a very good summary of social justice.
June 11, 2018
A fascinating look at the experiences of people released from incarceration. A great balance of individual stories and collective statistics, grounded in justice theory and the context of Boston. Required reading for anyone interested in ending mass incarceration--or helping those who are released from incarceration succeed.
April 29, 2019
This is a really interesting read on the current mass incarceration issue in the US. While the study is done in Boston of only about 100 people, the author provides voice to those who were recently released from prison and gives readers a view of their daily lives and the struggles they face after their sentences.
March 18, 2020
I'm not the correct target audience,as I imagine it's written for sociologists, law makers, government representatives, etc. However, I found it quite interesting. Lots of stats but the individual stories definitely helped to create a feeling of empathy and hope that the situation will improve in future years.
May 18, 2020
So much of the criminal justice system is about dehumanization of offenders. This book does a solid job of reintroducing humanity and empathy by showing fuller pictures of the lives of the participants in the Boston Prisoner Reentry study. A useful perspective for any analysis of criminal justice system.
February 26, 2019
Bruce Western's research is interesting, informative and compelling. Although limited geographically and by sample size, his conclusions are memorable. The addition of personal stories illustrates the conclusions well and shows the commitment to these people and their struggles.
March 5, 2019
I have never seen these kinds of statistics. I wish the study had been more broad than just in Boston but it was still very eye-opening.
We need to do more to help those who serve their time assimilate back into society.
We need to do more to help those who serve their time assimilate back into society.
December 24, 2019
Western's qualitative analysis of prisoner reentry around Boston is well constructed and fascinating. The book explores the many permutations of what happens to those before, during, and after incarceration.
July 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Forgot to put in Goodreads but read during my internship! Such an interesting book. It is a research book so it’s a little harder to read than a novel obviously but it was very well put together and so informative! I’d recommend to anyone interested in the topic!!
Forgot to put in Goodreads but read during my internship! Such an interesting book. It is a research book so it’s a little harder to read than a novel obviously but it was very well put together and so informative! I’d recommend to anyone interested in the topic!!
Read
June 28, 2019364.80973 W5275 2018
September 20, 2019
Well written and thought provoking
December 25, 2019
Excellent sociological look at mass incarceration, humanizing those who experience incarceration with a great social justice discussion as a conclusion.
May 9, 2021
If you like a book about prison reform this book takes it from a sociological perspective and it was done in a very interesting way
December 10, 2024
Read this for research project and I really liked it
Read
March 20, 2025School required read so I will not be rating bc it feels wrong… but it was a really good book!
July 7, 2025
I really liked the seamless blend of storytelling and statistics and data. For an academia type of read, it wasn't monotonous or overly dense to the point of boredom
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May 4, 2021Audio Book
Book talks about challenges faced by people
re entering society and troubles with social support system that makes this harder. Good book, but no revelations.
Book talks about challenges faced by people
re entering society and troubles with social support system that makes this harder. Good book, but no revelations.
December 22, 2018
Very readable and highly accessible collection of personal stories, statistics, and observations stemming from a longitudinal study conducted in the Boston area on the lives of several dozen men and women in the year after leaving prison. Some of the subjects fare well by finding jobs, utilizing family connections, and staying out of prison. Others do not. The author examines the causes of these discrepancies and other factors by presenting the material in a way that is clear and understandable to those of us who are not as well versed in sociological jargon.
Highly recommended reading if you are concerned about the problem of mass incarceration, and helping those who have been incarcerated succeed.
Highly recommended reading if you are concerned about the problem of mass incarceration, and helping those who have been incarcerated succeed.
May 27, 2020
Bracing. I was glad to breeze through in audio format
March 5, 2022
2022 - Each time I read this book I pick out new, important concepts. It really is a masterful exploration of the policy choices that have led to mass incarceration and some of the choices that need to be made to get us out of it and start to heal the system.
For an undergraduate volume about re-entry this is really accessible and the combination of personal stories and research work really well. That said, there’s nothing groundbreaking here for people who have read at all about the research surrounding reentry.
For an undergraduate volume about re-entry this is really accessible and the combination of personal stories and research work really well. That said, there’s nothing groundbreaking here for people who have read at all about the research surrounding reentry.
December 30, 2018
At the heart of the book are the narratives of the people from the Boston Reentry Study, while broader research and policies that generalize the specific stories are more framing devices at the beginning and ends of each chapter. I thought this was particularly effective as it allowed the reader to stay in the personal stories and develop more “first-hand” experiences that explain the research. Maybe this is just a complicated way of saying that the literary device of showing rather than telling is effective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews