How to Support Those Reentering Society After Incarceration by Mark Edgington

Reentry isn’t a moment, it’s a process. And for many who are returning from incarceration, that process can feel like learning to live all over again, only this time with fewer resources and more roadblocks.

I know how hard it is to rebuild your life when every application comes with a background check and every introduction carries invisible weight.

But I also know how powerful support can be. A second chance isn’t something you give someone once. It’s something you walk with them through, step by step.

Here are a few practical ways you can help someone reentering society:

1. Lead with Empathy, Not Assumptions

Reentry is full of invisible battles. Don’t assume someone has it all together, or that they’re failing if they don’t. Just being a consistent, judgment-free presence can make a huge difference.

2. Offer Practical Help

• Help navigate job or housing applications

• Provide transportation to job interviews or appointments

• Share job leads or make introductions if you can

Sometimes a ride or a reference is more valuable than any speech.

3. Help Them Rebuild Identity

Many people lose more than freedom inside prison. They lose confidence, community, and a sense of self. Invite, include, and uplift. Help them feel human again.

4. Be Patient with Setbacks

Relapse, job loss, or discouragement are part of the process. Don’t give up on someone the moment things get hard. Odds are, the world already has.

5. Use Your Voice Where You Can

Advocate for fair-chance hiring. Challenge systems that make it nearly impossible to succeed after release. If you run a business, consider giving someone a shot.

Reentry isn’t charity, it’s community. And community means we show up for one another, even when the road is hard and the story is complicated.

— Mark Edgington

This article also appears on https://medium.com/@markedgington, where you can learn more about Mark Edgington’s ongoing work.