Reentry
Returning to the community from prison or jail is a complex transition for formerly incarcerated individuals as well as for their families and communities. Upon reentering society, people are likely to struggle with substance abuse, lack of adequate education and job skills, limited housing options, and mental health issues.  Congress passed the Second Chance Act of 2007 to provide federal grants for programs and services that work to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for justice-involved individuals. Federal grants are also provided to support research and evaluation on a variety of aspects related to reentry.  

In North Carolina alone, over 95% of the 3,015 women currently housed in state prisons will be released at some time in the future, often into hostile and difficult-to-navigate environments replete with barriers to obtaining jobs, housing, transportation and social services.  They have paid their debt to society and can indeed become successful, productive citizens, but all too often they do not for a myriad of reasons that boil down to a common cause – lack of preparation to face the challenges of life in a law-abiding way.  As a result, almost 30% of women released from North Carolina prisons return within three years; even more return over time.

Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women brings its work outside the walls of the prison through various initiatives in partnership with other local providers, nonprofits, government agencies and formerly incarcerated individuals through case management, practical assistance, resource and referral support and post-release mentoring.

Case Management

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Post-Release
​Mentoring


​Hope Bags



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Capital Area Reentry Council

IPMW provides supportive services and referrals to resources across the State to justice-involved women in the early days of their release, or who find themselves needing renewed support during a life transition.  
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IPMW provides 1:1, group and circle-based reentry mentoring to formerly incarcerated women.  Some of these programs include subsidized housing.  Please click here for more information about these programs and how to become a mentor.
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​IPMW provides reentry bags for each woman released from the Raleigh Unit, providing practical assistance to women for their first weeks and month out of prison, while their attention is necessarily focused on re-acclimating to the broader society and securing employment, housing, transportation and reuniting with their families. Please click here for more information about this program that relies on the generous support of community partners like you.

​IPMW is a member of the Capital Area Reentry Council, an organized network of individuals, nonprofits and agencies that that offers assistance and resources to help formerly incarcerated individuals to become productive citizens, reduce recidivism, and victimization.  The group sponsors a monthly job fair that co-locates services and employers in one convenient location, and IPMW staff serve on various committees.  Please click here for more information about the Council.