Struggles of Re-Entry

Adjusting to Society’s Demands

Re-entry is often perceived as a return to freedom, but the reality is far more complex. Walking out of prison does not mean stepping into an open and welcoming society; instead, it means navigating a world that has changed, evolved, and often, left you behind. It is a complete reconstruction of identity, purpose, and stability—an unspoken burden that is far heavier than the public understands.

While the legal system focuses on logistics—employment, housing, and legal restrictions—what is rarely discussed is the psychological, cultural, and emotional gauntlet that re-entry presents. Technology has advanced, social norms have shifted, and relationships that were once firm have faded or become strained. Perhaps the most grueling challenge is resisting the gravitational pull of old patterns, familiar faces, and behaviors that once led to incarceration in the first place.

Harvard, Yale, and Princeton studies have all confirmed that successful reintegration into society is less about policy and more about social adaptation. It is not just about getting a job or a place to stay—it is about rebuilding the self in a world that does not stop to acknowledge how much you’ve changed, or how different you now feel.

The Technology Gap: A Digital World That Feels Foreign

Imagine being incarcerated for 15 years and coming back to a world dominated by smartphones, artificial intelligence, and remote work. Yale University’s Study on Digital Literacy Post-Incarceration found that 70% of formerly incarcerated individuals struggle to complete basic online applications for employment or housing.

This isn’t just about learning how to use a smartphone—it’s about catching up to an entirely new way of life.

• Banking is now done via apps rather than in-person transactions.

• Job applications require resumes that must be formatted and submitted electronically.

• Communication is fast, impersonal, and often overwhelming.

  
  

Many returning citizens find themselves unable to keep pace, creating a silent yet devastating barrier to success. Unlike European models where in-prison education programs focus on tech literacy and vocational training, most U.S. prisons provide little to no preparation for a world that has evolved beyond them.

Housing Instability

A report from the Prison Policy Initiative found that formerly incarcerated individuals are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population. Landlords openly discriminate against applicants with criminal records, and even family members may hesitate to take someone in, fearing stigma or financial strain.

• Germany integrates structured housing assistance into their re-entry programs, ensuring individuals have a stable residence before release.

• Norway prioritizes small, community-based reintegration homes where returning citizens are given gradual autonomy to rebuild independence.

• Michigan and much of the U.S., by contrast, provide few structured pathways to housing, leaving individuals to fend for themselves upon release.

  
  

Without a safe, stable place to live, recidivism rates increase dramatically. Harvard’s Re-Entry & Stability Study found that those without stable housing are 60% more likely to re-offend within three years.

The Emotional Shock of Reconnecting With Family

Relationships are often the anchor that keeps someone moving forward—but they are also one of the hardest aspects of re-entry. Columbia University’s Longitudinal Study on Post-Incarceration Relationships found that nearly 50% of returning citizens experience major emotional distance from family members within the first year of release.

• Children have grown up and may not recognize the parent they once knew.

• Spouses have adapted to life without their partner and may struggle to reconnect emotionally.

• Friends and family expect emotional openness, but years of incarceration have taught emotional restraint as a survival mechanism.

  
  

Prison culture discourages vulnerability. Incarcerated individuals are conditioned to suppress emotions, avoid deep connections, and maintain a guarded demeanor. Transitioning back into a society where emotions are expected to be expressed can be jarring, leading to miscommunication, frustration, and even isolation.

Old Patterns vs. New Goals

Re-entry is not just about learning new habits—it’s about actively unlearning old ones. One of the most dangerous challenges of returning home is the pull of familiar environments and past associations.

According to Princeton University’s Recidivism Behavior Study, over 65% of individuals released from prison end up reconnecting with old social circles within six months. 

Many struggle with the tension between who they were and who they want to become. Navigating new spaces while being treated as the same person they were before incarceration creates an internal conflict that can be paralyzing.

Excluded from Children’s School Life

Another painful aspect of re-entry for parents is realizing they are barred from participating in their child’s school life. Many school districts require background checks for parents to attend field trips, volunteer, or participate in school events. A criminal record can prevent a parent from being involved in these milestones, leaving them feeling like an outsider in their child’s life.

For children, this exclusion can be just as difficult. A study by the University of Michigan’s Family Resilience Project found that children with formerly incarcerated parents report higher levels of shame, isolation, and sadness when their parent is unable to attend school functions.

The inability to fully reintegrate into family life creates a cycle of frustration, guilt, and emotional hardship. This policy, while intended for school safety, often undermines the rehabilitation process and drives a deeper wedge between returning citizens and their families.

A Real Solution: Trauma-Informed, Peer-Led Re-Entry

Recognizing the failures of traditional re-entry models, I developed Trauma-Informed, Peer-Led Re-Entry in 2020 at the request of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. 

This model is based on the understanding that re-entry is not just about legal and financial support, but about human-centered healing and mentorship.

This initiative focuses on:

1. Peer Mentorship – Returning citizens are paired with mentors who have successfully reintegrated, offering guidance and real-world strategies for success.

2. Emotional Reintegration – Trauma-informed care and group sessions help individuals process the emotional weight of re-entry.

3. Skill Development – Digital literacy, professional training, and entrepreneurship programs create sustainable opportunities for employment.

4. Community & Stability – Housing assistance, job placement, and structured transitional programs ensure that individuals have a strong foundation to build upon.

   
   

Until we address these systemic gaps, we are not reintegrating people—we are setting them up to fail.

Re-entry is not about stepping back into the world—it’s about learning how to exist in a society that has already moved forward. Our communities can heal and stop a cycle of trauma, pain and violence by supporting re-entry.

Unless we rethink how we support that transition, we will continue to see individuals fall through the cracks, being left behind not because they lack the will to succeed, but because the proper resources and support are not being provided for success.

Change starts with each one of us committing to a better vision for our community.

Stay committed and be the change you want to see,

Troy Rienstra