According to a recent survey, about 15 percent of adult homeless people living in emergency shelters in Indianapolis said they had recently been released from a prison or jail. Others said they had recently left a jail or prison and were living on the street. Most of the people who reported that they had been recently released from the criminal justice system were men.

Besides having criminal histories – often a barrier to finding a job or housing – many people released from incarceration face additional challenges, according to the survey. About one-fourth admitted to having serious mental health problems, though fewer than half said they received treatment for those problems. And nearly all said their current homelessness was caused by problems related to rent affordability, job loss, or eviction.

Former criminal offenders released into the community often commit new crimes or violate probation or parole. State and national prison data indicate that about 40 percent of the population released from custody re-offends within a year. Many of these former offenders need treatment for addictions or other mental health problems.