There are seven in-prison steps to successful community living after release from prison. Step 1 is to obtain proof of identity through a birth certificate or driver's license. However, while in prison, driver's licenses might have expired, been lost, or relinquished at sentencing. Step 2 is to know about one's identity. In other words, is one's identity clear from active/open warrants or has there been possible identity theft while incarcerated? If not a legal or credit background check should be conducted. Step 3 consists of knowing everything about one's conviction. Will the conviction affect housing, public assistance eligibility, or employment? Step 4 consists of having a recovery plan and a good reentry plan. People leaving prison have reported that things fall apart as they get close to release. Step 5 entails getting ready for the community after prison begins on the first day inside prison, such as knowing if one qualifies for public benefits. Step 6 consists of getting and staying healthy. People leaving prison have reported having some type of chronic medical problem. An individual being released from prison must make sure their health is in order and they are physically ready for reentry. The seventh and final step is to prepare one's family for ones return. People leaving prison report relying on family to provide a place to live, transportation, clothing, and food. Reconnecting with children will be hard and some report their children to be angry with them and resentful. Sometimes those leaving prison report that they need a mentor to help them adjust to their community. This manual, known as "a work in progress", presents steps to a successful reentry in the community after release from prison. The section of the manual entitled "In the Community Steps" is currently under development. Appendixes A-I
Reentry Survival Manual: Manual for People Leaving Prison
NCJ Number
219980
Date Published
March 2007
Length
59 pages
Annotation
Based on experiences of those individuals inside prison or those who had reentered the community from prison, this manual ("a work in progress") provides seven in-prison steps to a successful reentry into the community upon release from prison, as well as essential resources for survival.
Abstract