An Overview of Ex-Offender Reentry

Six hundred thousand inmates in the United States will complete the serving of their sentences and be released into society this year. Under the best of circumstances this massive re-entry into the communities of America would tax our resources and pose problems of re-adjustment for the returning inmate, his or her family and the neighborhoods into which they will relocate. The repair of tattered family relationships, the quest for gainful employment, overcoming lingering suspicions and dealing with addictions that led to imprisonment in the first place must all be managed with skill and courage.

Unfortunately, the “best of conditions” do not exist. The country is woefully unprepared for the challenge. Many of the returning inmates will be without a dwelling place, unable to find work remunerative enough to meet their basic needs, in need of substance abuse treatment and, most critical, without a support group of any kind to help them with the adjustment. Unless immediate attention is given to the problem, it is estimated that something like 70% of these inmates will be re-arrested within two years of their release.

This is not a crisis without the hope of a solution. Our worst fears need not become reality. President Bush, in his 2004 State of the Union address, acknowledged the looming crisis and called on the nation to commit itself to dealing with the problem saying, “America is the land of the “second chance” and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.”

Justice Fellowship, consistent with its goal of reforming the criminal justice system in keeping with biblical principles of restorative justice, believes that several things are essential for the returning offender if we are to meet this challenge. These are:

• A safe place to live
• A good job
• A loving mentor
• Healthy relationships
• A changed heart
• A welcoming church
• Freedom from Addiction
• Healed relationships with family and friends
• Repairing harm done to the offender’s victims
• Earning the good graces of the community
• Access to medical and mental health services
• Restored citizenship rights

To deal with some of these problems, such as housing, medical services and employment assistance, it will be necessary to provide public benefits of several sorts for a period of time. The Presidents call for commitment to government resources was both necessary and timely. But most of the things on this list will require the community---individuals, churches and private organizations---to be more receptive, more loving, more committed to forgiveness and lending a helping hand.