The Realities of Non-Profit Reentry Services

• In Event: A Case Study on Best Practices and Reality in Female Offender Reentry Programs

Abstract

Friends of Guest House (FOGH) is a 3-6 month transitional program for women who are reentering the community from prison or jail. Each year, FOGH provides assistance to a population of approximately 150 non-violent female felony offenders. the program consists of a 24/7 approach in which the individual needs of each woman are comprehensively addressed via case management. Guest House’s results speak for themselves: Nationally, 70% of ex-offenders who receive no re-entry support re-offend within two years; in contrast, fewer than 10% of Guest House graduates re-offend. Despite the strong statistical support for re-entry programs, there still remains difficulties to successfully operate. Many non-profits are forced to make changes and cuts to programming due to financial limitations. Community support is also a struggle that many re-entry programs face, due to the population they serve. Positive interactions with re-entering women can garner more community support and increase opportunities to find additional funding, continuing the cycle of successful community re-entry and lower recidivism rates for offenders.

Author

• Kari Galloway, Friends of Guest House