Outline of Reentry Guidelines
Reentry Guidelines offers tried and evidence-tested suggestions for men and women preparing to leave incarceration and reenter society as well as for reentry professionals, service providers, and volunteers.For currently and formerly incarcerated incarcerated men and women. This is a general outline; guidelines must be individualized to accommodate the needs and circumstances of each person.
New York State Department of Correctional Services, "Coming Home, A Family's Guide to Reunification," in Spanish and English
Family Survival Guide: Information, Resources and Personal Stories for Families with Incarcerated Loved Ones Rally for Emancipaton and Empowerment, 2010). Magnificent effort to construct a comprehensive aid for all. Essays, contact information for NYS prisons, poignant testimony.
Back to School: A Guide to Continuing Your Education After Prison (John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York: Spring 2008, pp. 66). Completely available here in PDF form for reading or downloading. Go to it!
1. Before release
(1) Develop a reentry plan that suits your situation and prospects(2) Realistically review your mental and emotional preparedness for release
(3) Meet and connect with a representative of a reentry organization at home
(4) Think about how to reunite with family if relations are strained or broken
(6) "Prison dads learn meaning of 'Father'," by Rich Jervis, USA Today, 06/17/10.
(7) Obtain photo ID with you legal name, Social Security number and date of birth; learn how and where to use it. Know how to get a copy of your rap sheet.
Realize it takes time and patience to achieve a new life on the outside
2. After release
(1) Confer with your parole or probation officer(2) Confer with your local reentry organization contact
(3) Consider the value of a mentor, a trusted and faithful advisor
(4) Obtain a mentor and/or case worker who will work with you individually
(5) Realistically review your mental and emotional readiness for what lies before you
(6) Learn to pace yourself and your activities
(7) Be comfortable where you live; seek further advice about housing if needed
(8) Eat moderately yet well
(9) Take time for recreation, to be at peace with yourself
(10)If necessary, get help to plan your finances
(11)Take part in reentry assistance groups and others, such as AA, NA, etc.
(12)Possibly apply for Emergency Assistance (County Department of Health and Human Services [DHS])
(11)Review your rap sheet for possible errors; correct rap sheet errors
(12)Apply for medical (Medicaid) coverage
(13)If necessary, apply for Food Stamps (DHS)
(14)Begin, or continue, recovery and health maintenance services
(15)See professionals on health issues, whether physical or mental, chronic or casual
3. Sentencing reforms etc. relevant to reentry
Sentencing Guidelines for alcohol and other drug problems.(New): Sentencing Commission Releases Guidelines on Alternative Penalties: News summary, 05/04/10: Judges may depart from federal sentencing guidelines to refer such offenders to addiction treatment or other alternatives to incarceration, according to new
guidelines issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Information
from website "Join Together: Advancing Effective Alcohol and Drug Policy,Prevention, and Treatment" at Boston University.