Halfway House & Other Community-Based Facilities La Dept of Health

While going home may seem like a relief after so much time in treatment, for some people, the thought is overwhelming—especially if you’re in a triggering environment or don’t have a strong support system at home. Residents of halfway houses have described deeply inadequate sanitation and disease prevention on top of the lack of social distancing. In the now-defunct Hope Village in Washington, D.C., residents reported packed dining halls, makeshift PPE, and restricted access to cleaning products and sanitation supplies.

Therefore, people who already have some level of sobriety under their belt are more likely to succeed at a halfway house than those who are new to recovery. “Halfway house” can refer to different types of facilities that share some similarities. These facilities range from entirely carceral to not carceral at all , and feature different priorities and programming for the people residing in them.

History of the halfway house in the United States

In our appendix table, we attempt to break down which of those 527 https://ecosoberhouse.com/ fall under our “halfway houses in the criminal justice system” definition, and which facilities primarily serve other purposes. A halfway house can be an incredibly beneficial stepping stone for those re-entering society. By providing a safe and supportive environment, individuals in sober living homes can access the resources they need to successfully transition into everyday life.

It can be incredibly exhausting to persevere through recovery, so the time spent focused on a volunteer activity, such as helping at a local park or humane society, can provide clarity of mind and a new, healthy perspective on life. Whatever their age or gender may be, individuals who have gone through addiction usually have had issues with their education or career. They might have been expelled from school or fired from their companies because of their addiction.

LIVING A LIFE IN BALANCE BOOK

The contracting procedure is one reason we know more about federal halfway houses than state-level halfway houses. Now, as individuals return to work, halfway houses are positioned to be vectors of the virus, as the lack of social distancing and adequate living spaces is exacerbated by the frequency with which individuals have contact with the greater community. Since data remains sparse and oversight is unreliable, we have retrieved the bulk of information about conditions in halfway houses from the media and advocates. The voices of those who have spent time in halfway houses, and those who have worked in them, are key to understanding the reality of these facilities and the rampant problems that plague them. As they became further integrated with the formal correctional system, eventually becoming the primary prerelease opportunities for inmates, these programs were often characterized as “halfway out of prison” programs.

Residents of sober homes often report feeling happier and more mentally stable than when using drugs or alcohol. This is likely due to the structure and support that sober living homes provide. Some are state sponsored, while others are run by “for profit” entities.

Programming integrity

The gruesome portrayal of halfway house houses in the media can often be the catalyst for formal audits of these facilities. But it should be noted that regular monitoring, auditing, and data reporting should be the norm in the first place. Halfway houses are just as much a part of someone’s prison sentence as incarceration itself, but they are subject to much less scrutiny than prisons and jails.

Most importantly, living in a sober environment will teach addiction recovering patients to be accountable for themselves. Apart from the strict rules that come with it, it is also inclusive of drug tests regularly and other similar screenings that are intended to guide clients towards responsible living. While its policies might seem a little harsh, they are mainly put in place to make clients adapt, listen to direction, become a part of the recovery process, and eventually regain a drug-free lifestyle. The federal government is underreporting cases of COVID-19 in halfway houses, according to an investigation by The Intercept published in May. Not only is the Bureau of Prisons reporting fewer cases than county health officials, but many in halfway houses who spoke with reporters said they were told to hide their positive test results. Sober living homes are not for everyone, but if you think it might be right for you or a loved one, reach out to your doctor or therapist to see if they’re able to recommend one for you.