Coming out is one of the biggest challenges ex-offenders face. This forum focuses on continuing education and reentry into society.

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Adam Lovell

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This is a complex subject could take pages.

When one considers the fact that not only are their more individuals serving time in prison, but they are also serving longer sentences. Inmates are leaving confinement less prepared to face life in our society.

This is concerning, prisoner reentry takes on a new level of significance when one considers the impact these returning inmates will have on their communities. 2/3's of released prisoners are expected to be rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor w/in three yrs of their release.

The return of tens of thousands of ex-offenders has the potential to effect labor markets, social services, also heath care systems, not to mention family, if any left.

Inmates face many obstacles as they make the transition from the institution back into the community ranging from meeting basic survival needs such as shelter, employment, to addressing long standing problems with addictions or mental illness.

The need to implement programs ( real ones) to make these challenges less daunting. While offender's certainly exhibit a diverse individual set of needs, it is often the most basic survival needs, such as finding suitable housing that provides the biggest obstacles to succussful reentry to society, many serving long sentences have no family left.
Some may find a residence to live that are less then optimal w/out other alternatives, placing themselves back into enviorments that are not conductive to their rehabilitation.

Additionally, those few offender's who have the money to secure a residence will likely be forced into improvished neighborhoods where employment opportunities are limited and crime is abundant.

While all the above once they are released they face also, a whole different then the memory of what was, when incarcerated for a long time. overwhelming emotionally added to all.

Hard yes, past hard almost" impossible No !!!.

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Tom

I often wonder what happens to a person who does many years in lock up, has no one and then is set free. I guess some day I will find out although with good time I could sereve just 10 years, but that is still a long time.

I'm not sure where that TIME article is (I think someone on here linked to it a while back, but now I can't find it) but that focused on many of the issues facing those re-entering society and how the system is often so stacked against them.

Furthermore, it is easier for people to do background checks now (esp. w/ internet) and this can stand in the way of many job opportunities, no matter what kind of reformation or furthering education that the person has undergone.

Things can be very difficult, and I have full admiration for those who fight against the statistics and the things in their way, and really try to make a go of it after their release, especially those who do not have much family/friend support- and even for those who do, it's still a challenge- often a lonely one too.

I truly believe it is an issue that will get a lot bigger in the next 10 yrs or so, like peanut said, programs are essential in order to allow more success stories for re-entry.

We've done well with the pen-pal program. It's allowed us to put a lot of money into our non-commercial programs such as Back to Work. Like so many projects we're neck deep in, this one will be out in force later this year.

I'm not sure what to expect when we open the door to thousands of requests for employment from soon to be released inmates. I guess we'll see. Like I said, we've done well with the pen-pal program. With a little love and luck it might work. Bringing employers to the table will be the most difficult aspect; however, you do have some companies out there willing to hire inmates for the sake of reducing recidivism.

I'd love to start kicking a dent in our prison population. We're not big enough yet, but we're getting there. We just have to keep working, thinking and networking.

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Adam Lovell

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I know there are programs out there, but I honestly think if they spent money on getting halfway houses going it would help tremendously.
It would give them a safe place to trasition back into the outside world. I mean you gotta imagine what its like to go from being in a tiny cell 23hrs a day or so to suddenly being able to do whatever you want when ever you want. That's overhelming and I can see why people go back to their old ways. Its a comfort thing.

In regards to this topic, I for one can attest to the difficulty one encounters after being released from prison. I was released from VDOC in 1986 on a mandatory parole situation. I was released with the idea that I would go to the town where a girl I had been corresponding with for numerous years, would be waiting. Upon arriving there, I found she was living with another guy, so there I was, no income, no place to live, nothing! I was fortunate that I was able to locate a job within about 3 weeks (I did not answer the question on the work application concerning conviction of a felony). I did not have but a minimum amount of income, so I rented just a room. Eventually, I was able to better myself and was able to resume a normal life in the community, even to the point of regaining respect of the community. It took me 22 years to reach that point. It is not an easy battle and there are a lot of people who truly want to turn their lives around, but society in general makes it so difficult, because we are labeled "convicted felons". But, if one truly wants it, with enough will and determination, it can be accomplished! It won't be easy, but to those who have someone waiting for them, it can definitely be worth it! My 2 cents worth...

John

Thanks for sharing John, I'm glad you made it !!

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