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History of Halfway Houses

Historically, the term halfway house meant somewhere to stop on a journey, an 'in-between' place, much like it is today. Today, halfway houses are in-between places for people to recover from drugs or make the transition from incarceration.

  1. Origin

    • The origin of halfway houses is thought to be in England during the 1800s. The first halfway house established in the United States was in Pennsylvania in 1817.

    Traveler's Stop

    • An example of a traveler's halfway house is in Illinois and was a place for people traveling to and from Chicago during the 1800s. The house was built in 1843 and was thought of as a stopping place for those weary travelers.

    Chemical Addiction Transfer

    • Those who are chemically dependent on a substance such as alcohol or drugs go to halfway houses after receiving treatment at a treatment center. According to Drug Rehab Sources, the term "halfway house" was adopted by the drug treatment industry. It's not a requirement to stay at halfway houses, but those who want to can usually stay for three to six months.

      Halfway houses for those coming off an addictive substance used to be mainly in rough neighborhoods. Drugs and crime would run rampant around these houses, leaving it nearly impossible for the recovering addict to get better. Today, halfway houses are in more desirable areas.

    Parolee Transfer

    • Halfway houses also can be places where parolees are able to transfer from incarceration to the outside world. Staffers at the houses can help these parolees find jobs and try to make their transition easier. Halfway houses also sometimes have mental-health experts who work with residents.

    Controversy

    • Halfway houses for criminals can be controversial. In one case in British Columbia, three murders in an area were connected with a halfway house. People who live near the house were trying to get the federal law changed regarding recent parolees and halfway houses.

    Video Game Addiction

    • Recently, mainland China opened its first halfway house for Internet addictions. It is for minors who only stay at the house for one night while away from their parents. The house was established because of fears of children getting hooked on video games.

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