From nowhere to nowhere. Homelessness and incarceration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to review international literature systematically to estimate the prevalence of homelessness among incarcerated persons at the time of imprisonment and the time of discharge. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review methodology was used to identify quantitative observational studies that looked at the prevalence of homelessness at the time of imprisonment, or up to 30 days prior to that point (initial homelessness), and at the time of discharge from prisons. Studies reported in English from inception to 11 September 2019 were searched for using eight databases (PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycArticles, Scopus, Web of Science and the Campbell Collaboration), in addition to grey literature. Studies were screened independently by three researchers. Results of studies meeting inclusion criteria were meta-analysed using a random effects model to generate pooled prevalence data. Findings A total of 18 out of 2,131 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies originated from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland or Australia. The estimated prevalence of initial homelessness was 23.41% and at time of discharge was 29.94%. Substantial heterogeneity was observed among studies. Originality/value People in prisons are over twenty times more likely to be homeless than those in the general population. This is likely attributable to a range of health and social factors. Studies in this analysis suggest higher rates of homelessness in minority populations and among those with mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders. While there was significant heterogeneity among studies, the results highlight the global burden of this issue and a clear necessity for targeted interventions to address homelessness in this population.

Health status and health-care utilization among men recently released from a superjail: a matched prospective cohort study

“…Coupled with attendant systemic and structural inequalities, poverty, homelessness and poor health can (re)produce interactions, involvements and entanglements with the criminal justice system (Couloute, 2018; Halushka, 2020). Previous research showed lower rates of homelessness than what we reported in this study (41.5%) – about 25% among people with incarceration history (Bashir et al , 2021; Kellen et al , 2010; Gulati et al , 2019). This may relate to the use of diagnostic codes to define homelessness and/or that we use a longer observation period of five years for homelessness.…”

Homelessness and predictors of criminal reoffending: A retrospective cohort study

“…Criminal justice contact is common amongst homeless people. Estimates vary from about half to two‐thirds of the homeless population having been incarcerated at some stage according to studies in high income countries (Roy, Crocker et al., 2014; Saddichha, Fliers et al., 2014), while in a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 17 studies of incarcerated persons, the pooled prevalence estimate was that 23% had been homeless prior to incarceration (Bashir, Moloney et al., 2021).…”

Food Insecurity Among Older Adults with a History of Incarceration

“…The isolation, confinement, and danger of the prison environment can have damaging long-term psychological consequences (Sykes, 2007). Further, after reentry, formerly incarcerated individuals often face job loss, homelessness (Bashir et al, 2021), and discrimination (Assari et al, 2018), all of which have been associated with depression. Further, several studies have found that depression is associated with increased risk of FI (Garg et al, 2015; Hanson & Olsen, 2012).…”