Women on parole face higher rates of mental health, housing challenges

A new analysis from the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice, using 2021-2023 federal survey data, finds women on parole report higher rates of housing instability, poor health, and serious mental health and substance use disorders than both men on parole and women not on parole.

About 24% of women on parole met criteria for a severe mental health disorder versus 7% of women not on parole, and 32% met criteria for a severe substance use disorder versus 3% of women not on parole, with opioid use disorder showing an especially large gap.

The report's authors say the findings point to a need for reentry planning that addresses housing, health care, and family responsibilities beyond bare supervision requirements, though they could not determine whether these conditions preceded or resulted from incarceration.

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