FAMILY REFUSAL AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM AMONG FORMER PRISONERS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Failure to live in conducive homes is indeed the greatest challenge faced by former prisoners in dealing with their re-integration process. One of the major concerns include the acceptance back into their homes, as secure housing is considered their most crucial short-term need upon which indirectly, will influence other aspects of their lives. Besides, strong familial support will enable the former prisoners to regain themselves in order to avoid re-incarceration. Unfortunately, reality is showing the opposite, whereby former prisoners lose contact with their families and subsequently, end up being homeless. Therefore, this article identifies the critical role played by the family institution in providing shelter for former prisoners during their reintegration period back into the society. This study includes in-depth interview sessions with 16 homeless respondents who were former prisoners, without taking into account the type of offences they committed. Furthermore, findings revealed three main contributing factors that related to homelessness among released offenders. They were the refusal of family to accept them back, the inability to stay in one place and the absence of parents to live with.  The scenario further describes the strong connection between former prisoners and their incapability to acquire shelter.  Thus, measures need to be taken to encourage former prisoners and their families to unite in efforts to curb the homelessness issue faced by them.