Report on the Intersection of Homelessness and the Criminal Justice System from ICJIA

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority released The Intersection of Homelessness and the Criminal Justice System, an overview of state and national homelessness including prevalence and causes of homelessness, criminal justice system contacts with the homeless and recommendations to address homelessness with a focus on justice-involved populations. The report concludes that justice system stakeholders can take action to reduce homelessness in Illinois by addressing housing needs, repealing laws that criminalize homelessness, using criminal justice policies and practices like “problem-oriented policing” to assist the homeless and by supporting prison reentry housing programs and initiatives.