Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
General Tips, Information, and Encouragement
EIGHT WAYS TO PREPARE FOR A LOVED ONE‘S REENTRY
Preparing you and your family for the return of your incarcerated loved one can be beneficial to your loved one‘s reentry … and your family‘s adjustment. Here are eight ways to prepare for a loved one‘s reentry.
GET OUT AND STAY OUT: A REENTRY GUIDE
More than 600,000 prisoners are released every year. Two out of three former prisoners will be rearrested again within three years. How can you make the most of your second chance by getting out and staying out.
PREPARING YOUR CHURCH FOR REENTRY
The Church has an important role to play in reducing recidivism through reentry ministry. Find out how you can prepare your church for reentry.
SEVEN WAYS TO HELP YOUR LOVED ONE ADJUST TO LIFE AFTER PRISON
How can you help your loved one adjust to life after prison? Here are seven ways to consider.
THREE RESOURCES EVERY RETURNING CITIZEN NEED
Every year, hundreds of thousands of prisoners are released and return to society, and they need a second chance. The Church should be a place where they can easily find support and encouragement.
Job Search and Employment
TEN COMPANIES IN THE BUSINESS OF SECOND CHANCES
These ten companies believe in second chances. That’s why they offer employment, training, and other benefits and support to qualified and hardworking former prisoners.
HOW TO FIND A JOB AFTER PRISON
Don’t know where to start? Unsure how to discuss your criminal history with a potential employer?
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME WHEN YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD
Do you need a resume? And how should you explain gaps in your work history?
ACE YOUR INTERVIEW
So you found a job you want, submitted an application and your resume, and they want to meet you! Congratulations! Now, are you prepared for your interview?
Directory of National Resources for Reentry
The following organizations provide assistance for men and women as they return to the work force and to their communities. (Note: Prison Fellowship does not maintain a partner relationship with these organizations, and their appearance here does not constitute an endorsement by Prison Fellowship.)
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES (ACF)
202-401-9200
www.acf.hhs.gov
AMERICA’S WORKFORCE NETWORK
Toll-free Helpline:
1-877-872-5627
AMERICA’S SERVICE LOCATOR
CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA
2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA, 22314
703-549-1290
CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT (CSAT)
5600 Fischers Lane
Rockville, MD, 20857
Office Phone: 240-276-1660
Toll-free Helpline: 1-800-726-4727
www.samhsa.gov
DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room N-4508
Washington, D.C., 20210
202-693-3030
DIVISION OF WIA ADULT SERVICES AND WORK FORCE SYSTEM
202-693-3046
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION
200 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, D.C., 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-4-872-365)
www.doleta.gov
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
1-800-669-4000
www.eeoc.gov
FAIRSHAKE.NET
P.O. Box 63
Westby, WI, 54667
608-634-6363
FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM
1-800-233-2258
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
320 First Street NW
Washington, D.C., 20534
www.bop.gov
GOODWILL
15810 Indianola Drive
Rockville, MD, 20855
1-800-GOODWILL (1-800-466-39455)
www.goodwill.org/find-jobs-and-services
IMDIVERSITY
201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 2502
New Orleans, LA, 70170
281-265-2472
www.imdiversity.com
INTERCRISTO (CHRISTIANJOBS)
19303 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle, WA, 98133
www.intercristo.com (www.christianjobs.com)
JAILS TO JOBS
3641 Mount Diablo Blvd., #1164
Lafayette, CA, 94549
www.jailstojobs.org
JOB CORPS
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Suite N4463
Washington, D.C., 20210
800-733-5627
www.jobcorps.gov
LEGAL ACTION CENTER
(In person by appointment only)
225 Varick Street
New York, NY, 10014
212-243-1313
www.lac.org
OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT (CSE)
370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW
Washington, D.C., 20447
202-401-9373
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/css
NATIONAL REENTRY RESOURCE CENTER
22 Cortlandt Street, 22 Floor
New York, NY, 10007
1-877-332-1719
www.csgjusticecenter.org/reentry/reentry-services-directory
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA)
Toll-free: 1-800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
UNITED WAY
703-836-7100
www.unitedway.org
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C., 20201
Toll-free: 1-877-696-6775
www.hhs.gov
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C., 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2368)
www.dol.gov
WELFARE-TO-WORK DIVISION
WORK OPPORTUNITY AND WELFARE-TO-WORK TAX CREDITS
Employment and Training Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C., 20210
202-693-2786
www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy
YMCA OF THE USA
101 N. Wacket Drive
Chicago, IL, 60606
1-800-872-9622
www.ymca.net
YWCA
2025 M Street, NW Suite 550
Washington, D.C., 20036
202-467-0801
www.ywca.org
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Dial: 2-1-1
Books
BEYOND BARS: REJOINING SOCIETY AFTER PRISON
by Jeffrey Ian Ross
A practical and comprehensive guide for ex-prisoners and their families about managing a successful reentry into the community and includes: Tips on how to prepare for release while still in Prison, ways to deal with family members, finding a job, money issues, and avoiding drugs and other illicit activities.
CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE PRISONER’S SOUL
by Jack Canfield
101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness.
GETTING OUT AND STAYING OUT
by Demico Boothe
A short, easy to read set of guidelines intended to help incarcerated and newly freed African-American men (a) learn how to most productively do their time while in prison (b) know what to expect once they are released (c) understand that entrepreneurship and self-employment is what their long-term focus should be on instead of a job, and (d) understand the importance of stable relationships and how they aid in successful re-entry.
THE 99 DAYS TO RE-ENTRY SUCCESS JOURNAL
by Ronald Krannich
This weekly planning and implementation journal assists ex-offenders in dealing with key transition issues during their first 99 days in the free world. It requires users to specify three major objectives each week, identify specific supporting daily activities, anticipate related outcomes, evaluate their progress at the end of each week, and make key adjustments for the next week.
THE EX-OFFENDERS RE-ENTRY SUCCESS GUIDE
by Ronald L Krannich
Addressing the whole re-entry process from beginning to end, this book is “must” reading for anyone preparing to re-enter the free world. It’s also an ideal book for friends, loved ones, and supporters as well as those who are already on the outside but need better guidance on how they can jump-start their new life…and stay out for good!