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Abstract

This article provides social workers with a review of the current federal, state, and local government policies that mandate consequences post incarceration for individuals with criminal convictions related to illicit substance use or sales. The review indicates tremendous state variation with respect to policies that negatively affect employment, housing, voting, and income assistance opportunities post incarceration. In the most restrictive states, those reentering the community are barred from employment at organizations that receive government funds, from public housing, from applying for TANF or food stamps for more than 5 years, and from voting. Social workers need to know these policies because of the racial/ethnic disparities of their impact, and because, upon reentry to the community, this is a high-need population with few opportunities.

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Postincarceration Policies for those with Criminal Drug Convictions: A National Policy Review

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