End the Stigma
There is a stigma that surrounds someone who has once been convicted of a crime. After a person serves their time and is released, their imprisonment still follows them around. Research has shown that stigmas such as this affect a person's behavior, mental health, and participation within their communities. One way that you can help to end the stigma is by changing your word choice. Rather than calling someone an "ex-offender" or "felon", you can call them a "returning citizen". By using this type of language, we are creating a more inviting community rather than placing a label on someone.
Support Re-entry Organizations
Most of the reformers and organizations working to end recidivism and aid in inmate reentry are non-profits. As non-profit organizations, they must find some ways of funding, which is a major challenge for organizations. The Covid-19 pandemic has also put a financial strain on many reentry programs. Many are now seeking donations and grants to persevere and keep their facilities and programs running.
Below you will find some non-profit re-entry organizations that welcome your support.
https://prisonbookprogram.org/
Above you will find a link to the Prison Book Program where you can donate books to those in prison. The Prison Book Program is local, based in Quincy, Mass. Gifts of books help incarcerated people with their spiritual and educational development.
Thank you to one of the interviewees for my short film, Lisa Hamilton, for suggesting this resource.
Creating this short film is part of my Social Justice Capstone Project. I worked on creating this short film with my peer, Isabella Marino. Thank you to Cedric Rucker, Lisa Hamilton, and Deborah Diggs for sharing their experiences and teachings with the world.