HELP WITH INTEGRATING INTO SOCIETY UPON RELEASE

Updated July 28, 2019

Your prisoner pen pal may want help with re-integration into society upon release from prison. There are A LOT of such programs, usually called “re-entry” programs, and this is only a partial list. Treat this as a list of leads only. The links and contact info given here are not kept up-to-date. This is just a list to get you started.

The programs listed here provide services only in California. (See a limited Nationwide List for services in other States.) You will need to know where in California the prisoner will live after release. He/she will need a program which offers services in that area. If no program is listed for their area, Google a phrase like “prison reentry programs” along with the name of their city or county.

While in prison, the prisoner does not have access to the Internet. So, you will need to provide him/her with phone numbers and postal addresses rather than website addresses.

Programs listed here include:

  • In-prison rehabilitation programs by the California Department of Corrections.
  • Other in-prison programs.
  • Programs by which eligible prisoners can leave prison under supervision in the final portion of their sentence.
  • California Department of Corrections re-entry programs for prisoners after release.
  • Other re-entry programs for prisoners after release, statewide.
  • Other re-entry programs for prisoners after release for specific geographic areas.

Non-working links. Re-entry services for prisoners change rapidly. The result is that Internet links in this area change rapidly. The resources in this section have been compiled by a volunteer and may not have been updated recently. Please consider the links to resources as leads. If you find that a link in the following webpages has strikethroughs and no longer works, you may be able to find a working link to a similar resource by doing an on-line search.

In Prison Programs of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Services

California prisons offer self-improvement and rehabilitation programs. These ease the transition into society upon release. The programs are offered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), sometimes in partnership with other agencies or non-profit organizations. While all California prisons offer these programs, not all prisoners are eligible to participate in them. Participation is dependent on the degree to which the prisoner is considered a security risk and the behavioral record of the prisoner. Rehabilitation and Pre-Release programs include:

  • “Arts in Corrections,” a partnership with the California Arts Council. Classes in drawing, creative writing, dance, and theater.
  • Academic classes at all levels, leading to a GED or college credit. Academic classes are available in some form in all California prisons.
  • Self-improvement classes and therapy in the areas of substance abuse, anger management, criminal thinking, family relationships, and other issues. All California prisons include these types of programs.
  • Job training and skills.
  • Pre-release readiness: Classes in financial management and job readiness.
  • Acquisition of a California ID card.

Click for more information on these Rehabilitation and Pre-Release programs.

Other In-Prison Programs

Partnership for Re-Entry Program This program provides self-improvement correspondence courses for prison inmates. Some of the courses are in Spanish. This program is a service provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Correspondence courses include:

  • Turning Point I & II: life skills providing tools to find ways to correct criminal behavior
  • Anger Management: How to deal with life’s stresses and problems in an effective non-violent manner.
  • Parenting: Skills for improving family relations.
  • Domestic Violence: Focuses on relationships in the home, workplace and with friends.
  • Insight: prepares lifers for her/his Board of Parole Hearing (BPH) with focus on Attitude, previous transcripts, psych reports, who I was when I committed my crime/who I am now, the Crime, Transformation, Forgiveness/Remorse and key questions for reflection.
  • Gang Awareness & Recovery: Addresses the options available to those with the courage and determination to leave a gang lifestyle and move into the mainstream of society.
  • Victim Awareness: Focuses on you and your victim; it puts you into the shoes of your victim to better understand the impact and magnitude of your crime.

    • California Re-entry Institute (for San Quentin only) (Also includes in-prison preparation for release.)

California Re-entry Institute (for San Quentin only) (Also includes in-prison preparation for release.)

Transitioning into the Community Prior to Release

California prisoners may be eligible to serve the final portion of their incarceration in a supervised setting out in the community. These re-entry programs include:

Re-Entry Services after Release from Prison, California Department of Corrections

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides reentry services to ease reintegration into society after release from prison. Both live-in and out-patient/drop-in services are provided.

  • Room and board.
  • Jobs.
  • Substance abuse treatment.
  • One-stop shop for a variety of services.

Other California Re-Entry Programs That Serve Many Parts of the State

The remainder of the programs in this list are not provided by the California Department of Corrections. They are provided by other governmental organizations and non-profit organizations. The first one listed, Root & Rebound, is one of the most helpful.

Root & Rebound
This is a large non-profit organization that helps ex-prisoners re-enter society. It offers information, training, and a wide range of other assistance. It works with prisoners throughout California and also a limited number of other States. Whether still incarcerated or already released, the prisoner can contact this organization and ask for assistance with re-entry into society. Root & Rebound will also work with prisoners who must register as sex offenders (290 registration).

  • Prisoners (in California) may write and send questions to: Root & Rebound 1730 Franklin Street, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94612
  • Re-entry Legal Hotline (510) 279-4662. California prisoners and ex-prisoners may call for answers to legal questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Collect calls are accepted from incarcerated persons.
  • The Reentry Planning Toolkit is an encyclopedia of California law which affects persons re-entering society after prison. Look at it on-line or order a printed copy.
  • Native Americans. Click here for resources for Native American prisoners and former prisoners.
  • Resources for former prisoners outside California.

Jobs for Felons Hub This website listed re-entry programs for released prisoners. Programs are listed by State, including California. Programs help prisoners with finding jobs, housing, attorneys, and other resources.

Help for Felons This website listed re-entry programs for released prisoners. Programs are listed by State, including California. Programs help prisoners with finding jobs, housing, attorneys, and other resources.

Volunteers of America “Correctional Re-entry Services”
Nationwide, including California. Faith-based (Christian). Provides: halfway houses, residential treatment, and various types of other support in various locations.
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 341-5000

Exoffenders lists re-entry programs in California on its website.

Los Angeles

Homeboy Industries – Large, successful program for former prisoners and former gang members; not faith-based though founded by Father Greg Boyle. Works with both men and women. Programs focus on:

  • Jobs
  • Job training
  • Education
  • Anger management
  • Substance abuse
  • Tattoo removal
  • Other services

(323) 526-1254
130 West Bruno Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Chrysalis Chrysalis is a non-profit organization that works with people who have challenges in finding jobs, including RSO’s Chrysalis has offices in downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pacoima. They also provide access to computers and the Internet, employment counseling, practice with job interviews, help with clothes for job interviews, and transitional jobs in their own enterprises (Chrysalis Enterprises). Chrysalis also accepts registered sex offenders.

522 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 806-6300
Fax: (213) 895-0073
Client service hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.*
Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
*The center is closed every day between 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

SHARE SHARE is a non-profit organization. It helps people facing challenges, including former prisoners and ex-addicts, to integrate into society. Participants live and eat together in shared housing and provide support to each other in a structured program. Participants pay a limited amount each month, approximately the amount of a monthly Social Security disability payment. Phone: 1-877-SHARE-49

Weingart.org – Serves Los Angeles. Weingart Re-entry programs for former inmates include:

  • STOP is a comprehensive program providing housing, education, vocational training and job placement to help people on parole successfully re-enter the community. The STOP program requires a referral from a parole officer. Contact the Intake Coordinator at 213.689.2151.
  • AB109 is a 90-day transitional program that provides housing and employment assistance for men and women on Post-Release Community Supervision (PCS), preparing them for community re-entry. The AB109 Program requires a referral from the Los Angeles County Probation Department. To receive services, contact the Intake Coordinator at 213.689.2174.
  • Transitional Housing Program (THP) is a residential program that provides housing, meals, supportive services and resources, programing, and supervision for serious and long term offenders. To receive services, contact the Intake Coordinator at 213.689.2174.

Project 180 – Provides a variety of mental health and substance abuse programs.

Delancey Street Foundation – This organization is a residential self-help program for a variety of different people, including ex-offenders. Participants live within the program a minimum of two years. They turn their lives around, earn a GED, and learn marketable skills. There is no fee for the participants. The Foundation operates California programs in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Delancey also operates programs in New Mexico, New York, and North and South Carolina.

Monterey County

United Way Re-Entry Programs This website lists a variety of services for ex-prisoners including housing, substance abuse programs, medical and mental health programs, tattoo removal, etc.

Sacramento Area

Sacramento County Office of Education Adult Re-Entry Program This program offers many different services to ex-prisoners.

San Diego Area

2-1-1 San Diego – 2-1-1 is a non-profit organization that lists re-entry services in the San Diego area.

Metro Community Ministries This faith-based non-profit organization helps former inmates with education, jobs, and leadership training.

San Francisco Bay Area

Delancey Street Foundation – This organization is a residential self-help program for a variety of different people, including ex-offenders. Participants live within the program a minimum of two years. They turn their lives around, earn a GED, and learn marketable skills. There is no fee for the participants. The Foundation operates California programs in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Delancey also operates programs in New Mexico, New York, and North and South Carolina.

California Re-entry Institute (for San Quentin only) (Also includes in-prison preparation for release.)
Alameda County Reentry (510) 564-0500
Volunteers of America Bay Area Reentry

Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Reentry Services Offers a wide range of services for former prison inmates. (408) 535-4244