An Earnest Look At The Success Reentry Support Groups Can Provide.
by Earnell Brown
Taking an earnest look at what reentry support groups are and the honest and open communication that is necessary to make them effective tools for returning citizens is absolutely necessary.
There are three key tools that can reach the returning citizen that we are missing in the current reentry support industry.
One, Experience, the key that tells the returning citizen that they are (a) not alone and someone has been there before, (b) that change is possible and is within their grasp if they want it and are willing to work for it.
Two, Strength, the key that tells the returning citizen (a) that they too can succeed in spite of the odds or their perception it can be done by them and (b) that there is support and the support is real honest and trustworthy.
Three, Hope, the key that (a) has awaken the spirit of success and possibility in the returning citizen and (b) keeps the returning citizen thriving once the possibility awakes in them and they realize that they can succeed and never have to be a prisoner or subjected to the punitive control of another ever again.
The experience based success, freedom and relief reentry support groups can provide.
The experience based opportunities for success and freedom reentry support groups can provide is invaluable in the successful transition of a person from prison to society. Many individuals returning to society after incarceration are very fearful of returning to prison, failing at being a productive member of society or doing it all for nothing.
Many of these individuals have had very traumatic life experiences or have very poor self esteem regardless of their confidence in their criminal behavior and methods and cannot make it without the strength and support of another person who has.
There is no substitute for a reintegration success story like one that shows and asks the participant by the walk of another to “Look where I was, where I am, and asks how I can help you get through to here.” This is the Common experience based support that then gives the opportunity to provide the second of the three key tools.
The strength that safe and productive environments and reentry support groups provide.
The Strength that safe and productive environments with an atmosphere of honesty open-mindedness willingness and success that has a familiar story and face is also an invaluable tool that cannot be substituted because it provides strength.
Society for someone coming from a prison or jail in a seemingly endless and vicious cycle of prison or jail, failures, disappointments, disillusionment and disenchantment can be very scary.
Potentially facing now that very same seemingly hostile society whose underbelly the person is intimately familiar with cannot be faced alone with any expectation of success from the individual or society itself.
Insecurity, previous personal attempts at meaningful and successful reintegration and the collectively insurmountable seemingly singular actual barriers and odds are all a person who has no real connection to a positive and productive face or feature of society can see. With the support of others who have overcome all of this the returning citizen can now put together and see how it can be done.
The hope and resources re-entry support groups provide.
Reentry support groups through the open and honest conversations, tools and rectification of intrinsic and extrinsic negative influences provide hope.
The actual existence of real and working resources for educational opportunities, meaningful employment opportunities, and housing opportunities are critical resources. Development through group resources, activities and support, in personal areas such as the development of familial acceptance, support and positively motivated respect are high value intrinsic motivators that the returning citizen gain back through participation in reentry support group activities. Community involvement and inclusion is important.
Opportunities with the hope that they will work provides earnest and honest desires for the participant based on new and positive intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Thus true hope for a better and brighter future is born for the participant.
Potential impact of reentry support groups.
Reentry support groups are invaluable and underutilized tools that can actually be the difference in crime reduction efforts and the corresponding statistics, lower recidivism rates, lower numbers in new offenses among recidivists, safer communities and more effective uses of human and financial resources in the reentry industry.
Giving returning citizens a reason to care is critical to the development of a better and safer tomorrow.
Coming home from incarceration may be as challenging as surviving the prison sentence itself. In many ways, it’s starting all over again. And just like adjusting to the prison system, going home will require a readjustment to an environment that may not be as familiar as it used to be. Of course, reentry into society may take much longer to prepare for, especially when considering things such as finding work, parole issues, overcoming discrimination and biases, acting independently, staying healthy, and staying clear of trouble.
Families who are struggling with how to cope with an upcoming return of an incarcerated family member may need to seek external help depending on their individual situation. But one thing is for sure, they shouldn’t wait until the last minute to figure out what to do. Preparation for dad’s return should begin sooner rather than later. How soon prepping for the big day may vary depending on each family’s individual circumstances but should begin as soon as possible. That said, the family will need to recognize that dad’s return will not be free of negative emotions that can surface in the form of arguments, the blame game, anger, resentment, and more.
Start with a hug. Let those positive emotions surface with a hug. Not only will your feelings improve, hugs also provide some bonus health benefits! When you hug, your body’s oxytocin levels are boosted helping to calm your nerves, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and help you to sleep.
Take advantage of the good times! Remind each other how wonderful it is to be a family when things are going well. Trust me, you need to bond when things are rosy because it’s much harder to do when all trouble breaks loose. Don’t let an opportunity to share the joys of being a family pass you by. Maybe one of your kids just told a funny joke or you just finished taking a family group selfie—both would be a great time to let your family know how much they mean to you. Or maybe a big group hug is more your style. Either way, do something that expresses your feelings and helps to strengthen the bond between you.
The images are everywhere! You know, the ones featuring the happy couple walking hand in hand on some beautiful beach at sunset. Or, maybe it’s an internet ad that shows a picture-perfect family with smiling faces at the dinner table. And let’s not forget the life-defining social media posts! Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become the new digital family albums. It’s seems everyone is scrambling to snap, share, and admire flawless pictures of the baby, the happy couple, the birthday child, or an amazing restaurant dish before it’s devoured.
REALLY!?! When was the last time you found yourself sitting at the dinner table with all family members present and smiling? And if they are present and smiling, they are more likely than not, interacting with their mobile devices. If you’re a parent, how long did it really take to get the baby to pose just right? Oh, and the happy couple in that Facebook photo, they are now divorced.
A lot of work and effort goes into providing the right resources to fathers who have just been released from jail/prison. Once you are legally recognized as an offender many things change. Building Families Together’s resources are here to help you deal with those changes. The way people see and interact with you is different once you are out of prison. Because of the history of incarceration, it can hinder the process of finding employment, housing, and successful reentry.
Navigating this reentry process on your own can be terrifying. We know that no father wants to risk their chance of being re-incarcerated and taken away from their family. Allow us to guide you because we have dedicated individuals ready to serve. We help with employment opportunities, education, mental health, housing, house hold items, clothing, food, etc. In addition, we independently represent and work for you to find the best professionals resources that meet your individual needs.