Ex-Offenders Re-Entering Society
What does it take to break the cycle of criminal life and incarceration? Based on the accounts of those who have lived this experience, it requires an intense will to change attitudes and behavior to improve one’s life, a willingness to learn new skills, and an ability to overcome rejection time after time. The obstacles that are in store for the ex-offender who is released into society are enormous.
In the video modules below, individuals who are or have been incarcerated speak about a pattern of destructive behavior, how their children are affected, making the adjustment from prison to the outside world, and the difficulty in obtaining basic needs and essential services. Also featured are counselors, teachers, employers, parole officers, and other community members who play critical roles in the success of those re-entering society. Through these modules, it is our objective to provide inspiration and valuable insight into a largely ignored segment of our population.
- Introduction
A brief overview of program topics and the issues related to the successful rehabilitation and re-entry of inmates and ex-offenders into society.
- Introduction - Open Captioned
A brief overview of program topics and the issues related to the successful rehabilitation and re-entry of inmates and ex-offenders into society.
- Change & Challenge
Once released from the criminal justice system, ex-offenders usually find re-entering society a difficult process. Attitudes and behavior that ensure survival in prison (being tough, intimidating or withdrawn) work against building a stable social and emotional life. Program topics include:
- The Culture Shock of going from regimented prison life to the "freedom" (and anarchy) of life on the outside
- The importance of assuming responsibility for your future and turning away from antisocial behavior that leads to crime, and back to prison
- The necessity of self-discipline
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Change & Challenge - Open Captioned
Once released from the criminal justice system, ex-offenders usually find re-entering society a difficult process. Attitudes and behavior that ensure survival in prison (being tough, intimidating or withdrawn) work against building a stable social and emotional life. Program topics include:
- The Culture Shock of going from regimented prison life to the "freedom" (and anarchy) of life on the outside
- The importance of assuming responsibility for your future and turning away from antisocial behavior that leads to crime, and back to prison
- The necessity of self-discipline
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Building Blocks
Prison life is traumatic. It is often dehumanizing. Yet being "back on the street" has its own traumas. The need to provide for basic needs - food, shelter, and money - can send ex-offenders back to crime. It is important to prepare for and deal with these pressures positively. Program topics include:
- Finding resources to help deal with a challenging new reality - government, private and faith-based organizations and support groups
- How to get the paperwork necessary to find employment, housing and other essentials like social security and a drivers license
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Building Blocks - Open Captioned
Prison life is traumatic. It is often dehumanizing. Yet being "back on the street" has its own traumas. The need to provide for basic needs - food, shelter, and money - can send ex-offenders back to crime. It is important to prepare for and deal with these pressures positively. Program topics include:
- Finding resources to help deal with a challenging new reality - government, private and faith-based organizations and support groups
- How to get the paperwork necessary to find employment, housing and other essentials like social security and a drivers license
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Rebuilding Family Life
A stable family life can provide an ex-offender with the support and encouragement to stay crime-free. But relations with family members are often strained due to years of criminal activity and incarceration. Program topics include:
- How the stigma of "ex-con" affects the relationship ex-offenders have with their spouses, children and other family members
- The need to learn constructive ways to deal with the pressure, problems and conflict of family life
- Finding resources in the community to help deal with important issues such as guilt, anger, addiction and child-care
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Rebuilding Family Life - Open Captioned
A stable family life can provide an ex-offender with the support and encouragement to stay crime-free. But relations with family members are often strained due to years of criminal activity and incarceration. Program topics include:
- How the stigma of "ex-con" affects the relationship ex-offenders have with their spouses, children and other family members
- The need to learn constructive ways to deal with the pressure, problems and conflict of family life
- Finding resources in the community to help deal with important issues such as guilt, anger, addiction and child-care
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Finding a Job
For an ex-offender, making an honest living is vital to staying away from trouble and staying out of prison. Ex-offenders need to understand and overcome the challenges they may face when looking for work. Program topics include:
- How to evaluate skills, interests and abilities
- Matching skills to appropriate work
- The importance of social skills when looking for work - grooming, manners, attitude
- Going on a job interview
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Finding a Job - Open Captioned
For an ex-offender, making an honest living is vital to staying away from trouble and staying out of prison. Ex-offenders need to understand and overcome the challenges they may face when looking for work. Program topics include:
- How to evaluate skills, interests and abilities
- Matching skills to appropriate work
- The importance of social skills when looking for work - grooming, manners, attitude
- Going on a job interview
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Keeping a Job
Attitude is essential to being successful at work. "Soft skills" - being dependable and positive, following instructions, working well with others - can be as important as technical skills. A good attitude at work will help an ex-offender to build a better future. Program topics include:
- Keeping an upbeat attitude about work
- Dealing with authority figures and fellow-employees
- Learning new job skills
- Work benefits - health insurance, retirement and other money saving programs, education and training opportunities
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Keeping a Job - Open Captioned
Attitude is essential to being successful at work. "Soft skills" - being dependable and positive, following instructions, working well with others - can be as important as technical skills. A good attitude at work will help an ex-offender to build a better future. Program topics include:
- Keeping an upbeat attitude about work
- Dealing with authority figures and fellow-employees
- Learning new job skills
- Work benefits - health insurance, retirement and other money saving programs, education and training opportunities
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Parole: Benefits and Consequences
The purpose of parole is to help an ex-offender re-enter society while ensuring the safety of the community. To maintain the conditions of their parole, ex-offenders must regularly report to their parole officers, look for work, and stay away from criminal activity. Failure to do so may result in jail time. Program topics include:
- Keeping parole is not an option - it's the law
- Breaking parole has serious consequences, possibly prison
- How to work with your parole officer to find work, housing, social services and other assistance
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - parole officers, counselors, and employers
- Parole: Benefits and Consequences - Open Captioned
The purpose of parole is to help an ex-offender re-enter society while ensuring the safety of the community. To maintain the conditions of their parole, ex-offenders must regularly report to their parole officers, look for work, and stay away from criminal activity. Failure to do so may result in jail time. Program topics include:
- Keeping parole is not an option - it's the law
- Breaking parole has serious consequences, possibly prison
- How to work with your parole officer to find work, housing, social services and other assistance
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - parole officers, counselors, and employers
- Education and Training
Many ex-offenders leave prison in need of education and practical job skills. There are many educational programs offered by the government, colleges and private and faith-based organizations. These programs provide ex-offenders tremendous opportunities to improve their lives. Program topics include:
- The importance of getting a GED
- Job training and tuition assistance
- Continuing education - college and specialized skills
- Overcoming fear of failing
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Education and Training - Open Captioned
Many ex-offenders leave prison in need of education and practical job skills. There are many educational programs offered by the government, colleges and private and faith-based organizations. These programs provide ex-offenders tremendous opportunities to improve their lives. Program topics include:
- The importance of getting a GED
- Job training and tuition assistance
- Continuing education - college and specialized skills
- Overcoming fear of failing
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Women's Issues
Women make up a minority of the prison population, but their numbers are quickly growing. Because many female inmates are mothers, the burden of incarceration can be especially painful. Once released, female ex-offenders face unique challenges. Program topics include:
- Reuniting with children and family
- Taking care of basic needs - work, housing and child care
- Dealing with guilt, addiction and other pressures
- Developing social and emotional support systems
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Women's Issues - Open Captioned
Women make up a minority of the prison population, but their numbers are quickly growing. Because many female inmates are mothers, the burden of incarceration can be especially painful. Once released, female ex-offenders face unique challenges. Program topics include:
- Reuniting with children and family
- Taking care of basic needs - work, housing and child care
- Dealing with guilt, addiction and other pressures
- Developing social and emotional support systems
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Breaking the Cycle
Studies show that unemployment and substance abuse are the main reason that ex-offenders return to crime and, ultimately, to prison. It doesn't have to be that way. Steering clear of the people and activities that sent them to prison is the only way to break the cycle. Program topics include:
- Staying busy - with work, with family, with community activities
- Positive activities build a sense of self-worth that used to come from gangs and crime
- Turning away from substance abuse as a way to deal with pressure and anger
- Building a positive support system
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- Breaking the Cycle - Open Captioned
Studies show that unemployment and substance abuse are the main reason that ex-offenders return to crime and, ultimately, to prison. It doesn't have to be that way. Steering clear of the people and activities that sent them to prison is the only way to break the cycle. Program topics include:
- Staying busy - with work, with family, with community activities
- Positive activities build a sense of self-worth that used to come from gangs and crime
- Turning away from substance abuse as a way to deal with pressure and anger
- Building a positive support system
- Personal testimony from inmates, ex-offenders, as well as people who work with them - counselors, teachers and employers
- In Our Own Words
Only those who have lived through it can truly understand the pain of criminal life and incarceration, and the scars they leave behind. In this final program, we hear the personal testimony of men and women who have made it through this ordeal and who make the day-by-day journey of rehabilitation with no additional commentary. Program topics include:
- Taking responsibility for your actions
- Staying away from the people, places and things that lead to crime and prison
- Reconciling with family
- Being a role model by living an honest life
- In Our Own Words - Open Captioned
Only those who have lived through it can truly understand the pain of criminal life and incarceration, and the scars they leave behind. In this final program, we hear the personal testimony of men and women who have made it through this ordeal and who make the day-by-day journey of rehabilitation with no additional commentary. Program topics include:
- Taking responsibility for your actions
- Staying away from the people, places and things that lead to crime and prison
- Reconciling with family
- Being a role model by living an honest life