Obstacles Facing Those Released From Prison After Felony Convictions

Overview

Those who have served time for serious crimes continue to face major obstacles to putting their lives on track after release from prison. These obstacles include difficulty finding employment and housing. The problem can be especially difficult for those who were convicted of felonies as juveniles, or people not yet legally adults. This lesson profiles a man who was convicted of a homicide as a teenager and is trying to re-establish his life many years later after becoming a "returning citizen." The lesson asks you to consider how your own community could better reintegrate returning citizens, especially those convicted of crimes as juveniles.

Objectives

• Students will examine the challenges faced by those formerly convicted of felonies in reintegrating into their communities. 

• Students will research juvenile justice and discuss the ways felony convictions of juveniles (those under age 18) can have consequences long after release from prison. 

• Students will debate ways their communities can better integrate those released from prison after serving time for felonies.