How Do You Integrate Into Society After Incarceration?
According to the Re-Entry Policy Council, about 650,000 former prisoners annually reenter American society. There are resources available to help former inmates learn how to successfully integrate into the community following incarceration. Follow these steps to take advantage of them. Get clean. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of people in prison struggle with substance abuse, yet only about 18 percent receive treatment during or after incarceration. Entering a drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation program should be your first priority. Gather references. A letter from a therapist or drug treatment counselor can demonstrate your willingness and progress toward rehabilitation. Know your rights. While laws vary from state to state regarding what information a potential employer can gather and use in hiring decisions, be aware that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Title VII stipulates that “an employer may only exclude an applicant because
