States have also gutted parole. More than 100,000 prisoners were released unsupervised last year. Researchers suspect that unsupervised releasees have harsher re-entries than those on parole. Other transitional institutions, such as halfway houses, have also weakened. American society remains hostile toward ex-cons, and new laws and surveillance techniques make it easier to be tough on returning felons.
Employers can quickly check criminal records and deny employment to former inmates.
Some states have banned ex-prisoners from public employment and public housing. More and more live in the poorest areas. Returning prisoners may be more dangerous than they used to be. More ex-offenders than ever suffer mental illness. Prisoner rates of HIV infection, tuberculosis, and hepatitis C run five to 10 times the national average.