Thank you for making Journey to Freedom a success!
What are the Obstacles to Re-Entry?
Did you know between 1980 and 2019, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 700%? The growth rate of female imprisonment has been twice as high as the male population since 1980.
The Bureau of Justice reports that within five years, nearly 3 out of 4 of those released from prison are rearrested.
The Road to Re-Entry
Have you had to get identification since COVID?
You know the process, at least in North Carolina, is no longer walk in/walk out. The wait for an appointment is on average 6 weeks, and that’s if you have your other identifying documents: birth certificate, social security card, passport, etc. Without a valid ID, you can’t apply for a job, an apartment, or public services.
Obtaining identification is step one for successful re-entry.
Have you ever had to start from scratch?
“It wasn’t the people that overwhelmed me in the store that first night home. It was having to decide between 45 kinds of cereal.”
Upon release from prison, you have to start over. You are moving from a controlled environment to days filled with decisions. The shear volume of what you need to choose can create tremendous anxiety.
Have you had to rely on public transportation?
“I live five miles from work, but it takes me almost two hours to get there.”
People reentering the community from jail or prison face specific challenges related to transportation, described as the five A’s: affordability, accessibility, applicability, availability, and awareness.
Is Housing available for those with a felony record?
Finding housing upon release from prison is vital to successful re-entry, but homelessness is often the reality post release.
What does second chance employment looks like?
For returning citizens, lack of job readiness training is just an additional barrier to workforce readiness. Post release employment programs can have a significant effect on decreasing the rate of re-arrest.
What does community look like to you?
Families and social networks play a critical role in a returning citizen’s transition from incarceration to the community. A strong support system is critical for access to immediate needs, housing, and connections to employment and community services.
