Reentry 101: What to Expect After You’re Released

Derek Bluford
Jun 2
3 min read

Updated: Jun 2

Leaving prison is a life-changing moment—but it’s not the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of your reentry. Whether you’ve served a short sentence or many years, adjusting to life on the outside can be overwhelming. The first days and weeks after release are often the most critical—and the most challenging.

This guide breaks down what to expect after release, what steps to take, and how A Better Tomorrow (ABT Community) is here to help.

Step 1: Getting Your ID and Documents

Before you can apply for jobs, housing, or even a bank account, you’ll need proper identification. This includes:

A state ID or driver’s license
Your Social Security card
A birth certificate if required

Many people are released without these documents, which creates immediate barriers. If you don’t have your ID upon release, make this a top priority. A Better Tomorrow can help guide you through the process and connect you with agencies that offer reentry-focused support services.

Step 2: Finding a Safe and Stable Place to Stay

Housing is one of the most urgent needs after release. Depending on your situation, you may:

Stay with family or friends
Enter transitional or halfway housing
Apply for supportive or subsidized housing programs

It’s essential to communicate your housing needs before you’re released, if possible. If you’ve already been released and are struggling with homelessness, ABT can help refer you to local shelters, reentry homes, or housing programs that accept formerly incarcerated individuals.

Step 3: Rebuilding Your Finances and Credit

Reentering society without money or a bank account is common—but it doesn’t have to be permanent. Within your first few weeks:

Open a basic checking and savings account
Begin learning how to budget and save
Check your credit report for errors or old debt

Credit and financial stability don’t build overnight. That’s why ABT Community offers credit-building support, budgeting workshops, and access to secured credit cards for qualified individuals. Your money can work for you, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Step 4: Employment—Getting Back to Work

Employment is one of the most powerful tools for reducing recidivism. A job gives structure, dignity, and income. But finding work after incarceration can be difficult due to background checks and stigma.

At ABT, we work with second-chance employers who are open to hiring individuals with records. We also help with:

Resume writing
Interview preparation
Career goal setting
Trade certifications and online learning

We want to help you find not just a job—but a future.

Step 5: Mental Health and Community Support

Reentry can be emotionally exhausting. Feelings of anxiety, guilt, fear, and isolation are common. You may be rebuilding relationships, navigating parole requirements, or adjusting to new routines.

That’s why we recommend:

Speaking with a counselor or case manager
Joining a reentry support group
Participating in mentorship programs

A Better Tomorrow provides access to mental health referrals, peer support, and safe spaces to talk through what you’re experiencing.

Step 6: Building Your Reentry Plan

The most successful reentries happen when you set realistic, measurable goals. Start with:

Short-term: Secure ID, get a phone, find a job or housing
Mid-term: Build credit, finish your GED, save $500
Long-term: Start a career, reunite with family, become financially independent

Our reentry coaches work directly with you to create a personalized Reentry Action Plan, one that reflects your goals, strengths, and support needs.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

More than 60% of people released from prison are re-arrested within three years.¹ But that number drops dramatically when individuals receive employment, housing, and community-based support. You deserve the chance to succeed—and A Better Tomorrow is here to walk with you every step of the way.

Reach out today, and let’s build your future together.

📚 Sources:

U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2021). Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 2012. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/recidivism-prisoners-released-2012
Urban Institute. (2018). Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/returning-home-understanding-challenges-prisoner-reentry