Getting out of prison? Make sure you're ready for what comes next.

The following article was originally published in the Summer 2013 edition of Inside Journal®.
You hear your loved one is getting out of prison soon. What can they do to get ready? A lot, really. But it will depend on when they start preparing.
If you thought they'd never get out, only to have an officer say they'll be released in 30 days, you and your loved one might feel a little panicked. Don't worry. Tackle the most important things first (such as finding housing, arranging for someone to meet your loved one on the day of their release, applying for a drug treatment facility, obtaining their ID) and work your way down (making a résumé, planning your celebration). The sooner you start, the more you can prepare, and eliminate the panic.
WHAT PRERELEASE PROGRAMS CAN YOUR LOVED ONE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AT THEIR FACILITY?
Taken from Connections 2009, by Stephan Likosky
Many prerelease units in prisons have specially trained staff to help your loved one plan their reentry into society. Most prerelease units maintain updated listings of government and community-based agencies, which can help a returning citizen find a job, locating a drug treatment program, or address any of a multitude of needs. Your loved one might also encourage their prerelease center to invite in, as some already do, representatives from community agencies or private companies that do a large amount of hiring, to give presentations.
WHAT IS INSIDE JOURNAL?
Inside Journal is Prison Fellowship's quarterly newspaper printed for and distributed to correctional facilities across the country.
This creative and cost-effective means of spreading the hope of Christ to prisons and jails nationwide is also FREE to chaplains who request it.
WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL YOUR LOVED ONE NEED AFTER RELEASE?
Taken from Connections 2009, by Stephan Likosky
In order to apply for jobs and be eligible for most private or government programs, everyone—prisoner or not—is required to have certain kinds of documentation. If you and your loved one begin to collect now what they will need, you will save a lot of valuable time and frustration later.
At the very least, be sure to have a social security card (sometimes a number alone is not enough) and proof of identification (a birth certificate, baptismal papers, driver's license, or state-issued photo ID, for example). Each agency has its own requirements for documentation, but the following are commonly required or may help in increasing a prisoner's chances for eligibility. Of course, not all of these documents can be obtained easily, if at all, while someone is in prison. But collect what you can. (Please note: Prison Fellowship® does not have the capacity to help you obtain these items.)
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR REENTRY
- Military Discharge Papers
- Alien Registration Card (for non-U.S. citizens)
- Prison Discharge Papers (given to you upon release)
- Proof of Education (college transcripts or GED certificate, for example)
- Worker's permit (required for persons under 18 years of age)
- Proof of Functional Disability
- Certificate of Relief from Disabilities
- Certificate of Good Conduct
DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR REENTRY?
Returning citizens need to be prepared for life after prison. And having a plan will help prepare you for their return, as well. Your loved one needs to secure short-term housing. Make arrangements to pick up your loved one on the day of their release. Encourage your loved one to start writing their resume and help them form a job search plan. Is there a church your loved one can attend on the first Sunday of their freedom? How are they going to get there?
It is possible to get out and stay out.
HELPING RETURNING CITIZENS FIND THEIR FOOTING
Want to make the most of a returning citizen's second chance? Check out our reentry guide, "Get Out and Stay Out," for more information on what to do on first day, first week, and first month of freedom.
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