At Corrections Corporation of America, Michelle Ryder, director of Treatment and Behavioral Programs, and Jill Gillian, manager of Reentry Services, have identified 10 of the most common challenges for individuals reentering society: They recommend that an inmate begin addressing these issues prior to release. They provide a foundation of support that makes re-entry more achievable.
- I.D. and Official Papers (Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Driver’s License)
Without having their official papers in order, an ex-offender will not be able to find housing or employment, operate vehicles, qualify for credit, get insurance, or do a number of other things they will have to do in order to make their re-entry successful.
- Finding Benefits that Offenders May Receive
A felony conviction may interfere with an ex-offender’s ability to qualify for public assistance. Disability, food stamps, and housing assistance may be affected. Ex-offenders need knowledgeable guidance to identify public assistance and resources for which they qualify.
- Finding Reliable Transportation for Work and Daily Living
Ex-offenders will probably not have access to a car. They will need to know their city’s bus system and learn how to get around using the bus to get to work, to do shopping, and to go to medical appointments. This challenge can throw barriers in the way of employment, proper childcare, and getting to required appointments set up by parole officers. In addition to knowing bus routes and schedules, ex-offenders will need to learn resources for bus passes.
- Affordable and Adequate Housing
Those without a safe place to live are more likely to recidivate, especially at-risk females. Helping offenders assess their eligibility for safe public housing or identifying relatives who might be willing to provide shelter, even temporarily, will improve the ex-offender’s chances for success.
- Health Care and Health Insurance
For personal and public health reasons, it’s important for recently-released individuals to attend to their health care needs after release. This means finding medical providers and perhaps insurance programs that can meet their medical needs on a sliding scale basis.
- Support for Sobriety
Ex-offenders with substance abuse histories will need sobriety support. Without, the statistics say that they will re-offend and return to jail. Self-help groups and counselors must be part of pre-release planning. Follow through is essential.
- Reconnecting to Family
Many ex-offenders have families, but incarceration makes reconnecting difficult. Spouses may be estranged, but the children need both parents. Ex-offenders need counseling to navigate these difficult waters. Even reconnecting to parents and siblings can prove difficult and stressful. .
- Reading, Writing, and Re-Entry
An education not only improves an offender’s quality of life, but it also helps them qualify for work once they reenter society. Upgrading work and literacy skills is a major tool to help ex-offenders avoid re-offending.
- Finding and Keeping a Decent Job
Getting a job is critical to an ex-offender’s success, and once they find employment, it can be challenging to maintain that job. Teaching job readiness skills, such as resume building and interviewing skills, as well as handling potential issues such as peer relationships and job stress, will help the ex-offender achieve healthy goals.
- Money Management (bank accounts, bills, child support, etc.)
Upon release and finding employment, ex-offenders soon encounter the responsibility that comes with paying for housing and utility bills, as well as fulfilling other financial obligations, such as victim restitution or child support. Helping ex-offenders prepare for these situations by teaching practical life skills, such as how to create a budget, open and maintain a bank account and apply for credit, will reduce the money management stresses of re-entry.
By David Richardson
SOURCE:
http://www.cca.com/insidecca/addressing-the-top-10-inmate-reentry-challenges
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INDY RE-ENTRY FOCUS 