More than a million Americans are in jails and prisons — a human tragedy. Many committed grave offenses. Some have experienced racial disparities at the hands of courts and police. They may have endured deep emotional wounds as children; a high number of inmates were abused. Many are caught up in addiction from opioids to alcohol. People living with mental illness, especially those who are poor, are far likelier to land in jail than in a hospital.
Then, when prisoners are released — as more than 9 in 10 eventually are, they often are harshly stigmatized. Nationwide, nearly half of those paroled end up back in jail. The pattern of recidivism inflicts enduring harm on the safety and wholeness of society and on these individuals. Our audio documentary examines ways to interrupt this destructive cycle.
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