Learn the steps to a successful New Beginning
1. Take It Slowly
Release from custody and the hours and days that follow are the most important and the easiest time to make a mistake. Take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time.
2. Stay Positive
The majority of people who are released for the first time do successfully complete probation/parole.
Do productive things like school, work, or even taking up a hobby to keep you away from old bad habits that may get you back incarcerated .
3. Know the Conditions of your New Beginning
Failure on probation is more likely to occur as a result of a violation than a return for a new crime. Communication with your probation officer is key to succeeding on probation.
Find out about resources for New Beginners or the formerly incarcerated in your area. For example, there are different educational opportunities, as well as other helpful resources, specifically geared for the formerly incarcerated.
4. Stay Clean
More than half of all incarcerated people report that they were using drugs or alcohol when they committed the offense that led to their arrest. Figure out a plan to stay clean, whether it be a formal drug treatment program, community support groups (such as NA, AA, etc.), or changing patterns and partners.
5. Know Who Your Real Friends Are
You are not alone in your New Beginning. Reach out for support from positive friends and family members who want you to succeed.
If possible, change your environment, and keep away from old friends or comrades who are not doing positive things and may lead you back to your old life, or worse, back in custody.
Build a reliable support system – consisting of people that you can count on for emotional support.
6. Review Past Mistakes
What are your triggers when you slip? Be aware of your triggers. Develop a plan to deal with these triggers.
7. Get Involved
Participate in social groups, the workforce, families, communities, schools and religious institutions. Get more education: get your GED, complete or expand your education, or simply go to school to learn something new. Talk to your local community college or adult school counselor and find out how they can help you with your educational goals.
Volunteer! This is a great way to gain job experience or skills, stay productive, give back to the community, and is the best way to build the community’s trust in you.
Keep yourself busy!
8. Find A Job
…and keep it. Studies show that having a job is associated with lower rates of re-incarceration.
Be realistic about your abilities.
9. Be Honest with Yourself
The formerly incarcerated succeed when they change how they coped with everyday problems, but that takes being honest and realistic with everyone in your life, most importantly – yourself.
10. Make A Good Impression
Surveys of neighborhoods show that public safety is the main concern to areas where the formerly incarcerated are being released. Prove to your community that you too can be a good neighbor. Be respectful to neighbors, help out an elderly citizen, get involved in a community service project, etc. As a New Beginner, you need to teach and show your neighbors that you can be a positive citizen in the community.
« Reentry Council of the City & County of San Francisco with Revisions from K. Bailor