| There are currently more than 2 million Americans | | | | to society, they often feel out of step. Their families, |
| who are incarcerated in our country's prison system. | | | | friends, and neighborhoods have changed. Technology |
| Of that, about 650,000 are released annually. This | | | | is different, old and familiar stores have gone out of |
| population will be faced with the challenges involved in | | | | business, replaced by new and unfamiliar chains. |
| reintegrating themselves back into society. The task | | | | Nothing is as it was before the prison experience. |
| is daunting and can be filled with disappointments, | | | | Whether it's boarding the bus with bus fare that was |
| confusion, and a host of other emotions. | | | | valid several years ago, or discovering that an old |
| Unfortunately, many who are released are unable to | | | | girlfriend is involved with his friend, frustration and a |
| successfully make the transition to freedom and find | | | | sense of disorientation are inevitable. They are part |
| themselves back behind bars; hence the high | | | | of the adjustment process that every ex-prisoner |
| recidivism rate. | | | | must go through on the way to transitioning to free |
| Based on both extensive professional and personal | | | | society. |
| experience, I have identified several things that | | | | Ex-prisoners need to take their time and get used to |
| newly released prisoners need to know to increase | | | | being free. This may take a few weeks, if not |
| the likelihood that they will stay free and succeed in | | | | months. This time of adjustment is needed before |
| life. This advice is designed to help not only | | | | they make any new and serious commitments. The |
| ex-prisoners, but their families and the support | | | | first few weeks and months outside of prison are |
| programs that work with them. | | | | not the time to become involved in business |
| 1. Anything is possible, but a common sense | | | | ventures with old friends, get married, assume major |
| time-table and plan are vital. | | | | financial obligations (such as buying a new car or |
| Ex-prisoners come home and have a number of lofty | | | | house), or undertake other major life decisions. |
| aspirations. Whether it's starting their own business, | | | | Rather, this is the time to reflect, focus on making a |
| graduating from school, reconnecting with family, | | | | successful transition, and close the gap between |
| traveling, or becoming a millionaire, a realistic timetable | | | | prison and where he/she is currently. |
| and plan are vital. The prison experience often | | | | 4. Being grounded spiritually is a good thing. |
| generates a sense of urgency in those who go | | | | It is my personal opinion that being spiritually |
| through it. While understandable, the mindset that | | | | grounded is helpful, especially for those coming out of |
| accompanies the newly released prisoner is often | | | | prison. For one, it allows the ex-prisoner to become a |
| counterproductive to achieving his or her goals and | | | | part of a supportive community. Moreover, it can |
| objectives. | | | | plug the ex-prisoner into a set of regular, stable, and |
| Ex-prisoners need to have short-, medium-, and | | | | positive events and activities that can help promote |
| long-term objectives that contribute to the realization | | | | accountability. Most faith traditions encourage their |
| of their goals. Small steps that generated results, as | | | | adherents to be better people who are considerate, |
| opposed to big ones that may end in frustration, are | | | | thoughtful, reflective, and law-abiding. In times of |
| preferable. Help is available in developing timetables | | | | challenge or trouble, the ex-prisoner has a source of |
| and plans through local mentoring programs, colleges, | | | | strength, guidance and refuge to which to turn. This |
| business development programs and other non-profit | | | | can make a positive development in the ex-prisoner's |
| organizations. | | | | life. |
| 2. The doorway back into prison is controlled by the | | | | 5. Set up an accountability plan and stick with it. |
| prisoner. The probation and parole officers are not | | | | If ex-prisoners do not set up markers to gauge |
| you enemy. | | | | process, slippage is possible, if not inevitable. Even |
| An ex-prisoner's freedom is completely determined | | | | those with the best of intentions can end up back in |
| by what he or she does. No one else is responsible | | | | prison in the absence of a concrete plan that will put |
| for what happens to them. In this way, power is in | | | | checks and balances in place. In contrast, |
| the hands of the ex-prisoner. Parole and probation | | | | accountability can and should prevent recidivism and |
| officers are bound by rules and regulations. The only | | | | other undesirable outcomes. |
| way that the ex-prisoner is returned to prison is if he | | | | There are several ways to establish accountability. |
| or she violates any of the terms and conditions of his | | | | First, internal accountability involves selecting two |
| her release. Whether or not "the rules" seem small or | | | | meetings/events that the ex-prisoner attends |
| not, they must be scrupulously obeyed. | | | | weekly. These could be Bible studies, reading a book |
| Those who are newly released from incarceration | | | | in the library, etc. that are done consistently. They |
| often view their parole and probation officers as their | | | | are time alone for the ex-prisoner. Second, external |
| enemies whose sole purpose is to send them back | | | | accountability involves time commitments to others. |
| to prison. This is not the case. These officers are not | | | | These could be regular meetings/events with one or |
| responsible for the actions taken by ex-prisoners; | | | | two people. Meeting for coffee, prayer, movies, and |
| rather, they respond. In many instances, ex-prisoners | | | | other positive activities with stable people is beneficial. |
| do not take advantage of the assistance and | | | | When the ex-prisoner finds himself or herself missing |
| services available through their probation and parole | | | | these weekly appointments, then it is a good |
| officers. Of course, there are differences between | | | | indication that he or she is off-track and needs to |
| and among these officers; not all may offer the | | | | re-focus. When a person is first released from prison, |
| same level of support. However, the ex-prisoner will | | | | it seems like he or she has unlimited time. Once jobs, |
| never know if there is help available unless he or she | | | | families, and other commitments are added, free time |
| asks. | | | | available time diminishes, and can crowd out |
| 3. It takes a number of adjustments over time for | | | | scheduled accountability time. |
| ex-prisoners to re-establish themselves. Setbacks are | | | | Making the transition from inmate to free citizen is |
| a natural part of this process. | | | | challenging but not impossible. Taking these five |
| Ex-prisoners existed in prison, while life on the outside | | | | points into consideration will smooth the process. |
| continued to go on without them. When they return | | | | |