Prisoner Reentry refers to the reentering of society for individuals who have been previously incarcerated. Upon reentry, individuals face many barriers that limit the capabilities of success. Thus leading to a higher rate of recidivism. “Since 2019, more than 21,000 people have returned to Illinois prisons while on parole, either for technical parole violations or new charges, according to state data. More than 38% of all people released from prison in 2018 returned within three years, only slightly better than the 43% five years earlier.” [1] Bloomington has several resources available to help prevent recidivism. Residents of Mclean County can reference the Mclean County Reentry Directory to find local support and resources that are available to the community. Here is a podcast addressing recidivism in Bloomington, Il. and discussing what is being done to help.https://rss.com/podcasts/labyrith
Table of Content
I. Introduction (Prisoner Reentry)
II. Reentry programs
A. Labyrinth Outreach
B. Joy Care Center
III. Housing
IV. Employment
A. Job Partnership
B. YW Strive
C. Employment Services Program
V. References
Reentry Programs
There are two reentry programs in Bloomington. They are the Labyrinth Outreach for Women and the Joy Care Center. Each offer similar services to help individuals regain stability and rebuild after incarceration.
"Services include providing ongoing support through counseling, mentor-matching, support groups, case management, and job training. Outreach services are available to women with all backgrounds and residency, and the residential program provides on-site apartment living to up to 8 women for up to 2 years. Labyrinth will assist with all available social service agencies to meet clients’ needs including but not limited to securing: state identification, transportation assistance and resources, clothing, food, employment counseling, adult education (GED or continuing education), employment, job training, medical services and mental health treatment, sexual assault and substance abuse counseling, successful completion of parole, probation, or DCFS service plan, a support system, and a spiritual community of their choice. Labyrinth will also meet with women in while they are incarcerated to help prepare for their transition back into the community. Anyone who identifies as female and has a background or involvement in the criminal justice system is eligible. The only requirements for Labyrinth House are participants must be a non-sex offender and have established residency in McLean County."[4]
"Joy Care is a faith-based organization that serves both men and women who have criminal backgrounds regardless of the severity of charges. Through respect, validation, and empowerment, Joy Care staff provides a safe and accepting environment that supports individuals’ needs with employment, housing, food and clothing, education, transportation assistance, building positive relationships, finding or strengthening faith, and more. Job partnership, Celebrate Recovery, Support Groups, offering mentors and accountability partners, and providing food and clothing shelters are Joy Care’s main services. Joy Care has a presence in the community and many relationships with employers and landlords, as well as experience in referring out to the community for all kinds of services/ needs. Anyone with a criminal background is eligible." [4]
Housing
Many members of the Bloomington community have experienced incarceration. Bloomington is actively working to improve the quality of life for these individuals. One of the main barriers these individuals must face upon reentry is housing. Housing is an essential need for any human being. Former prisoners often experience discrimination when looking for public and private housing. [2] "Under the Fair Housing Act, the consideration of criminal histories when making public housing decisions can be illegal. Housing providers can violate the Act by using discriminatory language in housing listings, by conducting unjust and inaccurate screening through online record checks, and by evicting individuals or their families without just cause. The Housing Authorities Act (310 ILCS 10/8.10a) (the Act) was signed into law and became effective on March 23, 2021. Per the Act, all Illinois public housing authorities are to collect and report annually to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority." This helps monitor and minimize the discrimination against individuals with criminal backgrounds in the public housing community.
Bloomington has several agencies in town that assist with housing. Home Sweet Home Ministries and Salvation Army are two shelters in town that offer space to homeless individuals. Both shelters have a policy that limits what type of people are allowed depending on the nature of their criminal background. Individuals are required to get clearance from the police station. Charges against children, sexual acts, or domestic violence are amongst the charges that would prevent a person from staying in these shelters. There are halfway houses and transitional living programs available such as Labyrinth House, Joy Care Center and Mid Central Community Action Transitional Housing. These organizations are able to be more lenient with their acceptance compliance. Though this may seem like a large number of agencies to offer support these agencies can only house so many individuals. There is still a large number of individuals whose basic needs aren’t able to be met. Home Sweet Home has so many residents that people have begun to camp on their grounds due to lack of available beds.
Employment
According to Social Impact Research Center, " nearly 1,200 state laws, statutes, or administrative rules permanently punish people with criminal records. The majority of them are related to employment. For example, some jobs require criminal background checks. Other laws prevent people with certain felony convictions from obtaining occupational licenses, such as those for locksmiths, mortgage loan originators, or carnival workers, either for a specified period of time after their conviction or forever." [3] These barriers keep people in poverty and make it harder to meet their basic needs. Job seekers can visit Illinois Department of Employment Security to find out eligible careers for felons. These occupations include, but are not limited to, janitors, food service workers, maids, housekeepers, landscaping and grounds keeper. In Bloomington, Il. there are several employment programs to him those who are reentering society.
Employment programs
Job Partnership: Joy Care Center 
The job partnership program provides Celebrate Recovery and support groups. A 12-week classroom course for the unemployed, underemployed, and hard to employ designed to promote personal growth and professional success. The course objectives are to understand a Biblical perspective of work and to use practical work principles to develop a positive attitude and good work habits. A job fair is held at the end of each course. The program also provides food banks, clothing banks, housing, and assistance with social services. For inquiries about these programs interested individuals should contact the agency directly
YW Strive: YWCA Mclean/ Labyrinth
YW Strive offers hands-on classes and assignments that will help you develop and practice your skills in a collaborative, supportive environment. With Strive, you’ll take the skills you learn in class and work one-on-one with a career coach to define your career path, identify solutions to any barriers, and receive individualized feedback and support on your progress and skills development. The Strive program offers digital skills training, resume building, mock interviews, presentation skills, soft skills training, financial independence training, critical thinking skills, and more. Completion of the Strive can lead to apprenticeships, internships, and employment with Labyrinth Made Goods to candidates who qualify. Labyrinth Made Goods creates opportunities that empower women who have experienced incarceration.
Employment Services Program: Salvation Army Community Center
Job lead meetings are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.. At the Salvation Army Safe Harbor Shelter classroom (if closed on a Monday to observe a holiday, then the job lead meeting will be on Tuesday). Those without income (no job, no Township, no Social Security, and no unemployment income) will receive bus tokens after the job lead meeting. Those who arrive late or leave early will not earn bus tokens. Safe Harbor provides transportation to seek out and/or apply for jobs locally. The van schedule is determined at the job leads meeting. Individual appointments may be made with an Employment Specialist. Available once every 4 months. Requirements: every visit, must have a referral from a caseworker or Department of Human Services (Public Aid), a government issued photo ID. and a current (last 30-60 days) piece of mail (utility bill, lease etc.) showing residency in McLean County.
References
[1] Asiegbu, Grace. Martinez-Smiley, Adriana. Homecoming www.injusticewatch.org Feb. 13, 2023 https://www.injusticewatch.org/criminal-courts/reentry/2023/reentry-illinois-first-hand-solutions/ Feb. 23, 2024
[2] Maranville, Ryan. Reichert, Jessica. Hill, Eva Ott. Green, Emilee. Criminal History Records Checks For Federally Assisted Housing Applications: State Fiscal Year 2023 Supplemental Report www.icjia.illinois.gov. July 7,2023.https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/criminal-history-records-check-for-federally-assisted-housing-applications--state-fiscal-year-2023-annual-report/ Feb. 22, 2024
[3] Buitrago, Katie. Escobar-Schulz, Sandra. Never Fully Free: The Scale and Impact of Permanent Punishments on People with Criminal Records in Illinois. www.socialimpactresearchcenter.issuelab.org June 29, 2020https://socialimpactresearchcenter.issuelab.org/resource/never-fully-free-the-scale-and-impact-of-permanent-punishments-on-people-with-criminal-records-in-illinois.html Feb. 23, 2024
[4] Mclean County Reentry Directory. www.mcleancountyil.gov. No date https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17321/McLean-County-Reentry-Directory Feb. 20, 2024
