Summary of Focus Group with Ex-Prisoners in the District

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Introduction

Purpose of the Meeting

In October 2001, the Urban Institute and the Alliance of Concerned Men conducted a focus group with individuals who had successfully made the transition from prison to the community. The goal of the focus group was to explore "ingredients for success" as perceived by the focus group participants, and to seek their advice as to ways that the District of Columbia government and non-profit agencies could better support reentry and reintegration for prisoners returning to the District.

The Participants

There were 14 focus group participants, 13 males and one female.¹ They ranged in age from 26 to 58 years old (average age was 47 years old). Individuals in the group had spent between three and 37 years behind bars (average time in prison was 13 years). Some had been out for as many as 30 years; others were released as recently as one year ago (average amount of time since release was ten years). All focus group partic ipants lived in the District.

As pre-determined by our selection criteria, all individuals in this group were "successful." All were employed, in jobs ranging from tailors to counselors. Many in fact were working in service organizations helping ex-offenders or at-risk youth. Most were married and living with their families. And they were not in trouble with the law.

The Facilitators and Format

Caterina Gouvis, Research Associate at the Urban Institute, and Tyrone Parker, Executive Director of the Alliance of Concerned Men, co-facilitated the focus group. The meeting was held from 6:00 to 8:00pm on October 11, 2001 at American University. The meeting was audio taped and transcribed by Urban Institute staff, in accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) rules, regulations, and prior approval.

The following questions provided the basis for the focus group discussion:

• In your view, what are the most pressing issues for returning prisoners? What did you experience? Describe the "typical" problems you've encountered.
• Of the issues raised, which were the most difficult issues you confronted on your return to the community?
• What or who helped you when you returned to the community? If you could pinpoint just one thing, person or organization that helped you what would it be?
• What are some possible ways the community, organizations or the government can help to assist prisoners on their return? Which of these possibilities seem realistic given the current environment?
• What advice would you give to other returning prisoners?

1 Of the 14 participants, 12 filled out questionnaires before leaving. Descriptions in this section were taken from the 12 individuals who completed the form.

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