legal and reentry Services
Below are resources on reentry and legal services that will aid in making sure people reentering from jails and prisons or who have criminal records have the services they need to regain housing and remain stably housed.
Pre-release Services and Discharge Planning
Legal Services
Behavioral Health, Employment and Other Services
Related Links
Here are some general resources to start with:
- Webinar Reentry 101: What Homeless Service Providers Need to Know
- Governor's Guide to Criminal Justice provides a basic overview of the criminal justice system and how it operates at the state, local and federal level.
- A Record of Progress and a Roadmap for the Future: The Federal Interagency Reentry Council's August 2016 Report
- Charting a Path Forward for Federal Corrections Reform: Urban Institute Report on the number of people incarcerated, issues associated with incarceration and a roadmap for reforms.
- Tip Sheet: The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness guide "Reducing Criminal Justice Involvement among People Experiencing Homelessness"
- Housing and the Sequential Intercept Model: A How-to Guide for Planning for the Housing Needs of Individuals with Justice Involvement and Mental Illness. The sequential intercept model identifies the points in the criminal justice system where housing and supports can be provided in ensure stable housing for justice involved people.
pre-release services and discharge planning
Departments of Corrections can tailor their discharge planning process to ensure stable housing options are identified early on for people as they are released, and can develop relationships with community-based providers to make the transition as smooth as possible. Here are some key resources to consider for pre-release and discharge planning:
- Release Planning for Successful Reentry: A Guide for Corrections, Service Providers, and Community Groups (Urban Institute)
- The Second Chance Act is federal grants to reentry programs that can pay for transition services including housing supports for people reentering from jails and prisons. More information and a listing of SCA programs is provided on the Council of State Governments' website.
- The New York Public Library Connections 2016 is an example of a resource guide provided to people who need services and can help orient people to what is available.
- Restoring benefits and identification
LEGAL SERVICES
There are several legal services that can help people access housing through lowering barriers or through advocacy for people's rights.
- Restoration of Rights Project: restoring voting rights, licenses and particularly expunging criminal records are important for reintegration and increasing housing options.
- Legal assistance to file discrimination claims:
Other services
Other services that are important for people leaving prisons and jails and searching and transitioning into housing.
- Behavioral Health
- Employment and Income Supports
- Social Supports