Inside Out Reentry

Inside Out Reentry ("IO") is Johnson County's only comprehensive reentry community, and one of the few comprehensive community-based reentry programs in Iowa. To fulfill our mission, IO assists people with housing, employment, healthcare (especially behavioral health) transportation, education, and basic life skills, both directly and by referral. We provide a supportive community to promote pro-social living, accountability, and personal awareness through mentoring, weekly meetings with life skills classes and workshops, volunteer opportunities, and social activities. In addition, criminal justice reform and education for the wider community on the struggles and challenges of returning citizens have been key components of IO's work since its inception. We provide the following core services to citizens returning from incarceration, or with significant criminal legal involvement: Comprehensive Case Management and Individualized Reentry Planning Reentry House - Transitional sober housing (6 bedroom), supports include in-house staffing, weekly house meetings, and case management support. Residents can stay for up to two years. Employment - assistance with job searches, applications, resumes, interviewing skills, collaboration with local jobs programs Housing - assistance with housing searches, applications, credit checks, referrals to housing assistance programs, and acquiring furniture Mentoring - pairs a volunteer with an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individual for support and friendship Community Meetings - (weekly support group): topics include goal setting, dealing with adversity, mindfulness, personal growth, healthy living, and more Weekly Hope House meeting - at 6th Judicial District's Work Release Center Weekly Coffee and Connections - Peer recovery group for individuals in all stages of substance use recovery Additional Group Programming - bi-weekly Writing and Arts Workshop and weekly Yoga of Recovery group Life Skills - financial and computer literacy, monthly budgeting, healthy relationships, communication Identification, Medicaid, Health Insurance - assistance with applications and referrals Referrals and Support - Mental health, substance use, and healthcare (including accompaniment to appointments as needed) Resources - Bus passes, a backpack with hygiene products upon release, and access to the IO resource closet with donated clothing and household items. IO also communicates with individuals incarcerated across the state to provide support and develop reentry plans before release. In FY24, IO saw an increase in almost all our services. IO served over 277 people in the community. There were 756 total visits to our Resource Center from 179 different individuals seeking assistance. In addition to the people served in the community, we communicated via CorrLinks (prison email system) and letters to 227 individuals who were incarcerated to assist with reentry planning, sending and receiving more than total 1799 messages. IO saw an increase in attendance in almost all our meetings in FY24: Weekly Community Meetings: 112 different individuals attended. Weekly Hope House groups: 101 different individuals attended. Weekly Coffee and Connections: 71 people attended peer recovery meetings. Creative Collective: 55 people attended. Inside Out and Proud: 3 people attended. 24 individuals were involved in financial literacy education. IO assists individuals with creating resumes, applying for employment, and seeking workforce training. With IO support, many participants found and maintained employment; 76% of individuals reported stable employment. Several individuals we assisted found jobs after being unemployed, and a couple of others received promotions at their jobs. In addition to working with individuals in our Resource Center and at weekly community meetings, IO continues outreach with individuals who are currently incarcerated or under supervision. We believe this preparation has a major impact on their success upon release. In March 2020, the Iowa Department of Corrections suspended visitations. In response to not being able to visit the correctional and residential facilities, we've increased our outreach via email and mail to continue supporting individuals in preparing for their release. To celebrate our incarcerated fathers, we mailed cards and resources for Father's Day. These included information on staying connected with children, and how to reconnect after. Additionally, we mail birthday and Christmas cards. IO offers opportunities for our members to socialize positively in the community and learn about new activities and resources. Social events IO held included a fall dinner, a trip to the Stanley Art Museum where members viewed art and socialized, two movie nights, a fish fry, an outdoor music concert, and a hike. Also, every quarter we host a game night where we partner with a local church or group that serves a meal and joins us for games and camaraderie. IO supports programming that reduces barriers. In September and March, IO partnered with Veridian Credit Union to host three-part financial literacy programs. Members who attended all three classes were eligible for a $250 match toward a secure credit card or CD account. Our members who attended were grateful for the opportunity to not only learn valuable information but gain access to a financial resource as well. IO partnered with Iowa Legal Aid to host a clinic at Inside Out to help with criminal record expungement, court debt, license and registration. IO assisted with registering our members, sending reminders and providing transportation to help them make it to the clinic. 26 individuals attended and we heard a lot of positive feedback on how helpful the clinic was for them. Public education and awareness is an important part of our work. IO held public events that aligned with its mission to support incarcerated individuals returning to the community. IO hosted an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Workshop in December for individuals in the community, as well individuals we provide services to. The workshops consist of structured exercises, games, role plays, and group discussions. They draw on people's life experience and inner wisdom to help change how we engage in the problems and conflicts in our lives. In February, IO held our 2nd annual Art From The Inside Out, a free art show featuring the work of people who have been incarcerated. It celebrates the talent and hard work of these artists as well as promotes public awareness of the humanity and resilience of incarcerated people. Our reception event was a success, and featured speeches from artists. The public response from this event was great, and we built support from the broader community on the issues facing those impacted by incarceration. In April, IO hosted a parole simulation, where individuals from the community had the opportunity to take a fictional identity and experience a "month on parole." This simulation sheds light on the barriers and obstacles that many experience during the reentry process. Additionally, we speak at churches, student groups, universities, and other public events on the struggles returning citizens face. In August 2023, IO opened our transitional sober reentry house and during this fiscal year we had 13 residents reside in the house. This 6-bedroom home serves men who have been released from jail, prison, or work release within the past 6 months. Residents are low income, at or below 30% area median income at the time of admission. Every week we hold weekly house meetings where we provide space for residents to share any concerns, we discuss various topics and do skill development on communication, substance use recovery, goal planning and more. Staff are available throughout the week to provide case management support and we've seen progress with individuals obtaining their goals more quickly than in less supportive environments.