FAQ

Reentry is the process by which an individual who is incarcerated in prison or jail transitions out of the criminal justice system and “reenters” society and the broader community.

Reentry programs are designed to help individuals exiting the criminal justice system successfully reintegrate back into society following their incarceration by providing the individual with access to ample programs, support, resources and services to ensure long-term success.

Successful reentry programs have many benefits:

• They give individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system a “second chance” at life and the opportunity to support themselves through meaningful, productive work.
• They help improve public safety.
• They have been proven to reduce recidivism – which is the likelihood of the individual to reoffend and/or return to the criminal justice system.

The services provided by reentry programs can vary and are dependent on the specific program and/or needs of the individual.

Some of the core services provided by reentry programs include:

• Assessments and interventions
• Housing assistance
• Employment – readiness, training, pre-employment, work release
• Life skills development
• Specialized services for those with mental, cognitive and behavioral disabilities
• Gender-based services
• Addiction and substance use treatment and relapse prevention

Parole is the period of supervision in the community that occurs after incarceration and continues until the expiration of the sentence.

Probation is a period of supervision in the community that is an alternative to incarceration and continues until the imposed probationary term is completed.

Violations of the terms of both parole and probation can result in revocation and incarceration.

Yes, there are a number of resources available to individuals returning home from prison or jail, those individuals who have returned home recently and/or their families or loved ones.

There is a robust list of resources and assistance services featured on our website, under the Resources tab – from advocacy, policy and legal resources to education, employment and housing resources. Additionally, we have a number of statewide resources and resources listed by county on our Statewide & County Resources tab.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) contracts with a number of private, nonprofit agencies to operate Residential Community Release Programs (RCRPs) throughout the state. RCRPs provide an array of reentry services to inmates prior to release including evidence-based treatment services, case management and employment assistance – a list of NJ DOC’s RCRP facilities can be found here. More information about NJDOC’s core programs can be found here.

The New Jersey State Parole Board (NJSPB) also contracts with a number of private agencies and provides an array of services to individuals on parole. These services include residential and non-residential Community Resource Centers (CRCs) designed to support the successful reentry of individuals returning to the community from incarceration and a number of additional assistance programs/services (STEPS, RESAP, etc.) – more information can be found here.

Yes, there are a number of employment-specific assistance services available in New Jersey.

There is a robust list of resources and assistance services featured on our website, under the Resources tab – you can find a section on that main page for direct links to various Education & Employment Resources. Additionally, we have a number of statewide resources and resources listed by county on our Statewide & County Resources tab.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development offers extensive career services – click here for more information.

•  Through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, each county in New Jersey has a One-Stop Career Center that provides comprehensive employment services to individuals seeking employment including the ex-offender population.
  • One-Stop Career Centers now offer in-person appointments – you can submit a request online here.
  • Additionally, New Jersey’s One-Stop Career Centers have expanded their remote services to include a number of virtual/online services – they can be found online here.

• The Department of Labor and Workforce Development has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Corrections to bring Workforce Learning Link resources into prisons and half-way facilities. Services include:
  • Career Navigation Assistance / Counseling
  • Re-employment orientation
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
  • Resume assistance
  • High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation
  • Tuition waiver services
  • Interviewing assistance
  • JerseyJob Club workshop

• The Department of Labor and Workforce Development also collaborates with the New Jersey State Parole Board to provide employment assistance through the Parolee Employment Placement Program (PEPP) – designed to increase opportunities for the employment of parolees and to reduce the likelihood of a parolee committing additional crimes.

Additionally, there are direct links to Education & Employment resources that can be found on the Resources page of our website here.

Yes, there are a number of housing and rental assistance resources available to individuals returning home from prison or jail and those individuals who have returned home recently.

The Reentry Coalition of New Jersey offers a rental assistance program for parolees in need of housing assistance. More information on the program can be found here, and an application form for the program can be accessed here.

Additionally, we offer a robust list of resources and assistance services featured on our website, under the Resources tab – you can find a section dedicated specifically to our rental and housing assistance services on that page, with additional information and applications/forms. Additionally, we have a number of statewide resources and resources listed by county on our Statewide & County Resources tab.

Additionally, there are a number of statewide programs/services for assistance:

• The New Jersey State Parole Board (NJSPB) provides limited temporary emergency housing to homeless offenders on parole.

• County Boards of Social Services provide emergency housing assistance (EA) to homeless individuals who meet the eligibility requirements but there are exclusions for individuals with certain types of criminal convictions including sexual offenses and drug sales and distribution. You can search/visit individual county pages to search for direct contact information for their specific County Board of Social Services.

• There are several reentry initiatives currently funded through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) that provide limited housing assistance to individuals released from county jails and those who max out from the NJ prison system.