According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, each year, more than 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons within the United States and 9 million are released from jail. Formerly incarcerated library patrons deserve access to opportunities, resources, and dignity. Libraries are in an excellent position to help these patrons navigate through reentry by providing them with books, programs, and technology education. Meeting their immediate needs for job searching, intellectual freedom, and research assistance is pivotal to successful reentry efforts and rebuilding self-confidence. Librarians help patrons learn computer skills, seek out vital resources, and reunite with their families and children through story time, community baby showers, book clubs, and stress reduction activities, like yoga and meditation.
Libraries provide patrons with computer access, devices, mobile hotspots, free wireless, and online access to research databases, digital libraries, and digital literacy. Libraries can help patrons avoid recidivism and overcome the stigma and isolation of incarceration. Libraries commitment to privacy and confidentiality is key to earning the trust of patrons, who need positive experiences and hope for the future.
The New Mexico Reentry Center is a peer support non-profit organization dedicated to a mission "to break the cycle of re-incarceration by offering training and support to individuals in New Mexico who are recovering from substance use disorders, mental health issues, and Pre/Post incarcerated individuals. Through initiatives focused on reducing recidivism, fostering self-empowerment, and providing support from lived experienced leaders, we aim to cultivate pride, resilience, and sustainability among our community members."
Best Chance is a non-profit organization that provides: "Vital services and a warm hand-off from prison life to a healthy life on the outside. The organization was incorporated in late 2015 in the state of New Mexico." Best Chance offers transition services, referrals, material and recovery support, and an ongoing calendar of events. Best Chance is a peer support organization that is a clinically supervised Wellness Drop-In Center that helps men and women cope with behavioral health issues and homelessness challenges. Best Chance offers peer support, transition planning, help paying for and getting IDs, wellness, clothing, hygiene, transportation, brain injury screening, life skills training, and support groups with meals.
New Mexico Department of Corrections Reentry Programs During incarceration, the New Mexico Corrections Department offers reentry programs to help people prepare for the future.
New Mexico Corrections Department Reentry Division The New Mexico Corrections Department Reentry Division prepares people to succeed after incarceration. Options include educational opportunities, parenting classes, peer support, vocational training, and life skills.
Bernalillo County Resource Re-Entry Center "The Resource Re-entry Center (RRC) is the first stop for individuals released from the Metropolitan Detention Center as they reintegrate into the community. It will help former inmates navigate the transition from jail back into society by offering access to the services and support they may need to stabilize, stay healthy, regain self-sufficiency and break the cycle of recidivism."