What Family Reunification Is
Family reunification means living with family members after release.
This includes parents. Siblings. Grandparents. Sometimes cousins or aunts.
It means using their address for your ID. For parole check-ins. For mail.
Most people do this because shelters are full. Because apartments require deposits they do not have.
Family housing is not automatic. Parole has to approve the address first.
Why Family Housing Matters
You need an address to get a state ID. You need an ID to get a job.
You need a stable address for parole check-ins. Moving around gets you flagged.
Employers call to verify your address. If the person who answers does not know you live there, you lose the job.
Banks will not open accounts without proof of address. Utility bills in your name at that address.
Family housing solves one problem. It creates others.
Common Family Housing Rules
Many families set a curfew. Miss it and they lock the door. You sleep outside.
Many families say no guests. Ever. Your parole officer counts as a guest. This creates problems.
Many families charge rent once you get a job. Miss one payment and they ask you to leave.
Many families give you one room or a couch. No privacy. No space for your things.
What Gets People Violated
Someone in the house uses drugs. Parole searches the house. You get violated even if it was not yours.
Someone in the house has weapons. Parole finds them during a check. You get violated even if you did not know.
Family members argue with your parole officer. The officer marks you as high risk. You get more check-ins.
Family members do not answer the door during random checks. Parole assumes you are not there. You get violated for not being at your registered address.
When Living With Family Helps
You have your own room with a door that locks. You control your space.
No one in the house uses drugs or has warrants. Parole checks happen without problems.
Family respects your curfew and parole rules. They do not push back or complain.
You have a clear move-out plan. You know where you are going next and when.
When Living With Family Backfires
Family expects you to babysit or do chores all day. You have no time to look for work.
Family loans you money and holds it over you. Every argument ends with “I gave you money.”
Family tells you to skip parole meetings or lie to your officer. You follow their advice. You get violated.
Family drama becomes your drama. Police show up for domestic calls. Parole finds out. You get moved to a higher supervision level.
Rules to Follow If You Live With Family
Tell parole everything about the house. Who lives there. Who visits. Who has a record.
Do not let family store anything illegal in your room. Not even for one night.
Leave the house during family arguments. Go to a library. Go to a park. Do not be there when police arrive.
Pay rent if you agreed to. On time. Every time. Keep receipts.
Do not let family guilt you into breaking parole rules. If they push, start looking for other housing.
Check in with parole before family events. Holidays. Parties. Overnight guests. Ask first.
If You Assume Family Will Save You
You will move in without checking who else lives there. Parole will show up. They will find something. You will get violated.
You will assume family understands parole rules. They do not. They will tell you to ignore your officer. You will listen. You will go back inside.
You will not have a backup plan. Family will ask you to leave after two months. You will have nowhere to go.
You will stop applying for housing programs. You will think family is permanent. It is not.
Family housing works for three to six months. After that it falls apart. Plan for that now.