Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand Isaiah 41:10

Prisons, as institutions of punishment and rehabilitation, should ideally provide individuals with a chance to reform and reintegrate into society. However, the staggering rates of recidivism indicate a pervasive sense of hopelessness among the formerly incarcerated. While the prospect of release ignites excitement and anticipation, the harsh reality of reentering a society that stigmatizes the formerly incarcerated leaves little room for hope. The typical inmate does not leave prison with the desire to continue living a life that would put them in the exact position they are leaving. They want a restart and want a real chance to succeed. Prison is not something anyone wants to go back to despite what some movies may portray. 

Despite their aspirations for a fresh start, numerous systemic and societal factors perpetuate a cycle of futility, making it increasingly challenging for individuals to reintegrate successfully. A great example is a man I served time with and his story is so common, just with different details.   

Jeremy (name changed) was doing around a 15 year bid on a drug related charge. He was hopeful about his release and spent time writing out a plan of what he was going to accomplish month by month like employment, where he was going to live etc. Jeremy’s previous occupation was a tow truck driver and he made “okay” money but was not able to fully support his family. A friend he grew up with got him into doing a few drop-offs for his operation. He started making enough money with the side hustle to really be able to support his family and the risk was minimal. He was serving more or less as a delivery truck at that point. Jeremy really wanted to succeed after prison. We went over his plan and I gave some advice on realistic things he may face with his release plan, mainly the feasibility of it. I did this only because he asked me to share my thoughts. He was happy to work full time and save his money to have a fresh start. Jeremy had everything laid out and it was exceptionally well put together, he had minimal formal education but it was clearly well thought out. He knew the system was against him and that basic things like a job are not as easy to get as you would think.  Jeremy’s main worry was acceptance, he knew he missed a significant portion of his family’s life and also knew everybody would see him as the guy that just got out of prison. He was worried the only people that would show him any grace would be his old friends, which he wanted to steer clear from. 

Jeremy, despite his excellent planning had no contingency plan. He put so much effort into the plan that he did not realize that certain aspects might not be achievable. I asked him about that specifically and his answer was shocking to me at the time. He told me that this plan was his only chance of staying out; if it fails he will have no choice but to get back in the game. He explained several things about the system once you are released, the staggeringly high rate of recidivism and the endless roadblocks you face.  Two and a half weeks before his release Jeremy got off a phone call and was clearly mad. He found out that where he was planning on living after the RRC was no longer possible because the landlord will not let him move in with his family.  That is one of several obstacles many of the recently release face. 

Witnessing the stark reality of high recidivism rates and the perpetual cycle of hopelessness daily, I still was not able to truly understand the reasoning until I was released and able to research it in much more detail. I knew the system was against the formerly incarcerated and I expected the stigma with society would be an issue, but something you could overcome through your positive actions. If you spend time researching recidivism you will be astounded to discover the magnitude of systemic barriers that impede the successful reentry into society for the formerly incarcerated. There are several reasons and some are listed below. The thing that stands out the most to me is and has been how most of the currently incarcerated are living their lives knowing that the chances are high that once they “pay their debt to society” they will eventually be back. I witnessed this first hand on several occasions and it was heartbreaking to see.

Prior to incarceration I founded and operated a successful digital marketing firm. During my time inside and after release I developed a real heart for the formerly incarcerated and saw a serious issue that needs to be fixed when it comes to recidivism. Brand 316 focuses on realistic ways to greatly improve the chance of success upon reentry. Those include focusing on the big three issue of housing, transportation and employment but go much further than that. We are focused on changing the mindset of our members to truly focus and create realistic paths for success through personal, professional and spiritual development. 

As mentioned above I thought it would be interesting to list out some of the largest impediments the formerly incarcerated face when it comes to release and succeeding in society. As a person that has not spent time in the system, you likely have not thought about these issues. This list is not exhaustive but just some general things to consider. Please keep an open mind and trust that a high majority of people incarcerated do not leave prison planning on reoffending – they want to succeed and the last place they want to be is back in an 8x10 cell caged like an animal. 

Society’s Perception: The social stigma attached to the formerly incarcerated creates significant barriers and makes reentry into society a daunting challenge. Society tends to view individuals with criminal records through a lens of mistrust, assuming that their past actions define their future potential. This stigma manifests in various ways, such as difficulty in securing housing, limited employment opportunities, strained personal relationships, and societal marginalization. The negative assumptions and biases associated with having a criminal record contribute to a cycle of rejection and exclusion, eroding the self-esteem and self-worth of the formerly incarcerated.

Employment:  Securing gainful employment is crucial for successful reintegration, yet formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers when seeking work. Many employers are hesitant to hire ex-convicts due to concerns about liability, potential risks to workplace safety, and the negative assumptions associated with criminal records. This not only hinders individuals from supporting themselves but also pushes them towards desperation and the temptation to return to a life of crime. The lack of job prospects and financial stability exacerbates the sense of hopelessness and fuels the cycle of recidivism.

Lack of Education and Job Training: Education and skills training are essential components of reintegration programs, providing individuals with the tools they need to thrive post-incarceration. Unfortunately, the access to these opportunities is often limited for the formerly incarcerated. Many correctional institutions lack comprehensive educational programs. Without the chance to learn new skills or obtain formal education, individuals are left ill-equipped to compete in the job market, leading to a higher likelihood of reoffending. 

Restricted Housing Options: Many landlords refuse to rent to individuals with criminal records, leaving the formerly incarcerated with limited housing options. The landlords have the right to do this and it happens often. This leads to homelessness and a lack of support for the formerly incarcerated. There are several families willing to help their loved ones but unable to with housing because the landlord is not comfortable with it. 

Probation: While probation is intended to provide an alternative to incarceration and support individuals in reintegrating into society, certain aspects of probation can inadvertently increase the likelihood of reoffending. It is necessary and important for the formerly incarcerated to prove themselves however at times the strict rules of probation are hard to follow for anyone, including yourself. This is a long subject to cover which requires several different viewpoints to properly assess from all angles, but as an example for those who have never been on probation. Probation violations can occur even without the commission of a new crime. Technical violations, such as missing a meeting with a probation officer, failing a drug test, or being unable to pay fines and fees, can result in harsh consequences, including incarceration. These punitive responses to minor infractions increase the likelihood of individuals returning to prison, perpetuating the cycle of recidivism.

You are invited to learn more about Brand 316 and we encourage you to spend some time learning how we are doing things different and our focus on the individual’s growth. Every person is different and every person has a different path to success. I encourage you to contact us if you have any interest in volunteering and more importantly, if you currently have a loved one incarcerated refer them to us. We want to help them and give them the best chance for success after release.  You can also watch a video describing Brand 316 to learn more about our goals and how they are achieved.