Ex-Convicts and Homelessness

(Cleveland, OH) Yesterday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer carried a story about a problem facing homeless shelters in the city. Specifically, due to growth in the homeless population, men have to be bussed to another location in the city at a cost of $200 per day. The service is provided using one bus making three trips to carry a total of 150 men. Most interesting about the story is the reason given for the increase in the homeless population.

Last year, the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the parole board to stop classifying prisoners based on their indicted offenses instead of the crimes for which they were convicted. Hundreds more men were released as a result.

Sara Simila, head of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority, said men released from prison need a place to go if they don't have a home.

Most halfway houses have a waiting list. Sending them to shelters for the homeless is a last resort.

"It's a statewide epidemic," Simila said.

It is rare to see a news report that reveals the fact that a significant percentage of the homeless are ex-convicts. Year after year, the media presents the public with pluck-your-heartstrings stories of homeless women with children and homeless wheelchair-bound veterans. However, contrary to the image generally portrayed by the media, the Plain Dealer exposes the fact that the homeless population has a significant nucleus of convicted felons on parole.

It's refreshing to see some honesty from the media.