Rebuilding Lives. Strengthening Communities.

Create more positive social structures and peer support groups to
assist with recovery and difficult psychological adjustment during
prisoner reentry.
Recommendation
Issue
Individuals leaving prison, whether for the first or the
fourth time, often are confronted with an emotional and
psychological adjustment upon their return to society.
During incarceration, many prisoners become disconnected
from family and friends. They often leave prison with
little money, no job prospects, addiction issues and housing
concerns. They may return to environments that
contributed to their criminal activity and led to their incarceration.
Due to the social dynamics in prison, they may
lack the social skills needed to interact successfully with
others outside prison walls. Their support network in
their neighborhood or community, to the extent one exists
at all, may be comprised of other formerly incarcerated
individuals. Once they are released, many prisoners do
not know where to seek help, and instead return to their
previous life on the streets. “I became addicted to the
street, hanging out with people from the projects,” said
Chicago resident Terrence Johnson, who was sent to
Illinois prisons three separate times for drug and property
crimes. “When I got out of prison, I just went right back
to the same environment. It was like I didn’t miss a
beat.” 90
Many individuals leave prison with the goals of
maintaining a drug-free and crime-free lifestyle, finding
stable housing and employment, and repairing family relationships.
However, as released prisoners progress down
this path, they need support to help them cope with the
emotional, psychological and physical stress of reentering
society.
“When people walk through
the door, they feel safe, they feel
welcomed. They participate in
support groups and they can be
themselves. And, gradually,
that breaks down their hesitation
to use other services.”
Jerome Collins
Founder of Winners’ Circle peer-led support group
MAYORAL POLICY CAUCUS ON PRISONER REENTRY
61