The Trouble with Reentry: Five Takeaways from Working with People Returning to Chicago from Prison

Following herein are some of JHA’s real-world observations made in the process of accompanying and, at times, endeavoring to assist people as they attempted to access critical reentry supports, resources and services following their release from prison. These five key takeaways are based on our on the ground experience navigating reentry programs and opportunities with these young men shortly after their release from prison. This list is in no way comprehensive or exhaustive. Rather, it highlights just some of the more immediate, pressing needs and problems that the young men whom JHA met as they left prison experienced during their first few months after leaving prison. There were also some bright, hopeful encounters along the way. In particular we met some extraordinary, persevering, compassionate, tireless reentry workers who are dedicated to assisting people returning from prison. Our dive into the reentry process on the whole, however, illuminated some large gaps that exist for returning citizens trying to succeed. (2019)