Barriers To Successful Reentry...What Do You Think???

During a Reentry Roundtable in Wilmington Delaware, there were a number of barriers to successful reentry discussed, but a few continuously came up as major hindrances to successful reentry in our state. These were:

1. The lack of coordination between all agencies/organizations that provide reentry support.
2. Ex-offenders have very little information upon release about how to access services or even what services are available.
3. The public is not educated about or concerned with issues of ex-offender reentry. This may explain the widespread NIMBY attitude and belief that inmates/ex-offenders do not deserve assistance.
4. There is no reentry policy in Delaware further suggesting that neither the public nor our government is concerned with issues of reentry.
5. Upon release, ex-offenders often have no identification or a DOC issued identification that is not recognized by all state agencies.
6. Ex-offenders with mental/physical health problems do not receive proper transitional care.
7. Both arrest and conviction histories may be accessed from the internet, but the distinction between arrest and conviction is not widely understood.
8. Ex-offenders usually have little education, no work histories, and few job skills.
9. Those with substance abuse problems are either not getting treatment at all or the treatment is inadequate.
10. There is a lack of mentoring and support for ex-offenders in terms of their emotional needs.
11. There is a great need for more affordable housing especially for ex-offenders who most likely do not have the money to pay for the first month’s rent and security deposit.
12. Language barriers intensify all obstacles to successful reentry.


The goal of the Reentry Roundtable was to develop plans of action to combat the obstacles to reentry in Delaware, and so there were also a few recommendations that were continuously brought up throughout the day. These were:

1. The creation of a directory of services to be given to inmates as soon as they become incarcerated. Along with a comprehensive informational packet and video, case managers should also be utilized to educate inmates about what is available to them upon release. Interviews with service providers can also be facilitated by Delaware's state of the art video conferencing technology.
2. Educate the public about issues of reentry with positive images and statistics along with recognizing the good work of advocates.
3. Reframe the issue of ex-offender reentry to key policymakers and the Attorney General as vital to our community safety and public health, as well as a smart way to drastically improve the state's cost effectiveness and saving.
4. The DOC should issue identification that is actually recognized by all state agencies. More concrete release dates or the creation of a last minute system in the DOC to provide those who are suddenly released and with physical/mental health problems with their necessary medications and appointments. Also, if peer mentors are able to be utilized, this would better prepare those with physical/mental health conditions for the steps they must take to assure continued care and provide the emotional support that is lacking.
5. Allow for eventual erase of records after a certain amount of time and no new convictions. Also, encourage employers to hire ex-offenders for low-risk jobs and promote tax credit programs for hiring ex-offenders.
6. Bring life skills, education, and vocational programs for inmates into prisons and work release centers. (Funding can be found if policymakers and public recognize its importance to successful reentry).
7. If an inmate is assigned to a substance abuse treatment program, he or she must complete that program in its entirety. Judges should be encouraged to sentence a person to the entire treatment program and not anything less.
8. Release dates should either be more concrete or prisons should be able to provided assistance in helping ex-offenders make their way home, which may mean providing bus fare or a free phone call.
9. BWCI (Baylor Women's Correctional Institution) needs a bus stop to facilitate visits from family members and alleviate some of the difficulty recently released women have trying to make their way home.


Some of these problems may seem easier to fix than others, just as some of the recommendations may seem easier to put into effect than others; however, all of the problems and recommendations are related in some way. If we begin to address even one of the significant barriers to reentry we have uncovered, then the other barriers will not only seem less insurmountable, they will be.

Public education is the key to bringing attention to issues of reentry and winning legislative support just as communication between agencies and organizations committed to providing reentry services is also a necessity for successful reentry.

These are compiled from the responses of attendees at the Delaware Reentry Roundtable that was held on September 29, 2006 at Widener University's Wilmington Campus. Source http://www.surj.org/roundtable_recommendations.htm

This was in 2006. Have we made progress, if any at all? What Do You Think???

About In His Presence

Most women released from incarceration face tremendous hurdles as they set out to rebuild normal lives, including such basic needs as finding housing and a job; re-establishing ties with children, family and friends; and rebuilding self-confidence and self-esteem. With little more than the proverbial bus ticket and pocket money, the women will be released from prison and told to stay out of trouble. Not surprisingly, the net result is that within three years of leaving prison, many will commit a new offense and more than half will go back to jail. But this doesn't have to be.

In His Presence Ministries was birthed from a vision to provide women with assistance as they leave the Pennsylvania State Prison System and prepare for their future outside of confinement. We started our program in hopes to make a difference in the lives of just a few, and received an overwhelming response after sending out our first set of applications. We understand the struggles of women transitioning from prison and the lack of support in the area. While some women are blessed to have the support of friends and family, many of the women being released are not so fortunate. We have committed ourselves to help women in any capacity through what we call "Provision Package Prayer Requests". With our unique concept, we receive applications from women expected to be released and they submit their requests in the form of a prayer so that we may agree with them and pray about their needs. We are then led by God to help within our means or seek help with areas outside of our personal abilities. Ultimately they understand it is God working through us to receive the things they need and want. We receive many different requests like help with finding housing, getting release clothing, assistance with going back to school, needing personal hygiene items, and help with getting state identification cards and money for public transportation.

Mentors or a mentoring group take this faith-based support one step further by offering one-on-one practical assistance. They assist ex-inmates during their adjustment period by listening to them, encouraging and advising them. Since many ex-inmates come from broken homes and have experienced abuse and injustice themselves they need help with personal skills. Just being a stable force by providing a good example is very important. Mentors also can help open doors that lead to jobs, counseling and other kinds of practical support that spell the difference between success or failure. They can assist ex-inmates with identifying a new job, providing them with transportation to interviews, obtaining a driver's license, finding a place to live, getting a phone, and staying on good terms with their parole officers.

We answer each request personally and pray for the specific needs and desires of the women. As we continue to seek Gods counsel and keep our hearts pure and be willing vessels, He will continue to use us to share the Good News and bless His people who are often forgotten. “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

Currently we are seeking individuals, churches and other organizations to partner with us to make a difference in our community. Our wish list includes mentors or mentoring groups, gift cards, personal hygine items, robes/pajamas, hair products, umbrellas, pharmacy gift cards, tampons/sanitary napkins, new underwear, new bras, slippers bus passes or tokens, etc. Please email us at inhispresencem@aol.com.

We have also partnered with Tom Lagana in his goal is to send at least one box of books to each prison, jail, and youth detention center in the USA. Each box will have 33 copies of Serving Productive Time, and is $238, which includes shipping and handling with in the Continental USA . Please help us send our books to inspire inmates in your state to do good while incarcerated and to better prepare for a successful release. We can send books directly to chaplains, counselors, teachers, librarians, and other correctional staff and volunteers who can make our books available to the inmates they serve. http://www.tomlagana.com/

Continued Blessings,

Mr. and Mrs. Moore
In His Presence Ministries