What Are the Functions of a Halfway House?

This article is meant to help explain the presence and uses of the halfway house in society.

Primary Function

• The primary function of a halfway house is to reintegrate those in recovery back into society.

Residents

• Residents of a halfway house generally share one of three traits: recently out of jail, chronic mental health problems or addiction to a substance or substances. Residents are put into the home so that they can begin the process of becoming part of society once again.

Rehabilitation

• While living in a halfway house, the resident is given support and remains monitored by those on staff. In the case of recently released inmates and substance abusers, the intention is to prevent relapse. For those with chronic mental problems, the intention is to move away from an institutionalized system of sanitariums, allowing the sufferer to remain within society while still getting the needed support by those on staff.

Sober House

• Some halfway houses exist solely for those in recovery from addiction to alcohol or other substances. These hallway homes are known as "sober houses." Unlike the traditional halfway house, residents of a sober house often do not have criminal records. Staff at the sober house offer support to those who suffer from substance abuse, as well as a place where the resident can meet others like him or herself.

Controversy

• Residents in neighborhoods where a halfway house is present will often raise complaints to the city. The nature of a halfway house means that those in recovery will be allowed to reintegrate into society, but many members of society do not want the reintegration in their own neighborhood. Because of this push-and-pull, there is often controversy when a halfway house is about to be moved into a new neighborhood, despite its humanitarian goals.