Challenges Faced by Former Prisoners in Reintegration Process: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The reintegration of individuals who have served their sentence in a correctional institution is a complicated process associated with many challenges. This systematic review examines the obstacles prisoners encounter during their reintegration into society before their release. We focused on publications available through the Sage databased and primarily indexed in Scopus. Qualitative studies published between 2018 and 2024 were probed. The review was conducted in alignment with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA). The results show that former prisoners encounter significant obstacles in finding employment. This is commonly due to low vocational skills and inadequate formal education. In addition, many former prisoners are negatively affected by stigmatization, medical problems, psychiatric issues, and inadequate support from family and community. The present study provides valuable insights into the complex process of reintegration and the life experiences of prisoners, and it highlights the importance of effective reintegration programs. The findings should help to guide effective strategy development to help prerelease prisoners successfully transition back into life outside of the correction facility before their release.