Formerly incarcerated individuals often refer to their release day as the best of their lives, but this joy can be short-lived during the adjustment period. Reentering society introduces various challenges such as finding employment, adjusting to a new routine, and dealing with overwhelming stress.
These difficulties often contribute to recidivism. In fact, a Nigerian review established that discrimination, lack of reintegration support, and the lack of employment lead to recidivism. The Bureau of Justice revealed similar statistics.
According to their study of 30 US states between 2005 and 2010, one-third of released individuals reoffended within six months.
However, effective intervention and support can change the narrative.
The doe Fund
The Doe Fund is an NYC-based nonprofit that strives to do exactly that by releasing male prisons through its Ready, Willing & Able program. Participants get paid to clean the streets and sidewalks of the city and continue to train for more specific trades. At the end of the program, participants are connected with job opportunities that help them get back on their feet.
An independent study by Harvard University's Dr. Bruce Western concluded that the program cuts the risk of future police contact by one-third.
One of these men is William Bossio, who struggled to reintegrate into society after his release. William did several prison stints after failing to keep up with the bills and the pressure to return to a life of crime. His parole officer introduced him to the program and pushed him to make the right decision.
Through the program, William has found hope after prison and feels “blessed to find a job.”
Read the full story at Business Insider.