Prisoner Reentry ResourcesInformation and assistance for people who have recently been released from custody
How Do I Clear My Name? Is Your Criminal Record Holding You Back? Sample Criminal Record Request to the Michigan State Police Frequently Asked Questions about FALSE ARREST Frequently Asked Questions about POLICE BRUTALITY Offender Tracking Information Sheet Expanded Use of Criminal Records and Its Impact on Reentry Please browse our general client resource library for more information on many topics of interest to reentering individuals. Family Law How Can I Pay Child Support While I am Locked Up? Notice to Incarcerated Party: Instructions Please browse our Family Law client resource library for further information. Employment Employment Information Handbook: Inmate Transition National H.I.R.E. Network
Immigration Immigration Consequences of Criminal Convictions Reentry Service Providers Individuals with criminal records can find assistance with employment, education or vocational training through various government agencies and community-based organizations including the following. Michigan Works! is Michigan’s state workforce development system offering 110 service centers in 25 regions throughout the state. These centers provide locally designed and operated services, including staff that are able to meet the needs of the local population and training and other skills needed to prepare individuals for the demands of the local labor market. Job seekers can post their resumes for review by employers who are recruiting workers. Many services are offered on a self-serve basis. However, if a client needs help dealing with particular issues or difficulties, such as how to address their criminal record to an employer, the centers have specialized staff able to meet the individual’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Center staff are sub-contracted from local agencies, but are not separated by agency within service centers. Clients can register anywhere in the state where they will be entered into a central system, so that their account can be accessed from any other center. Locations of service center are available at the web site: www.michiganworks.org/ or by calling 800-285-WORKS.
Project Transition is part of Matrix Human Services, a multi-service social service agency. It is a residential treatment program that is mandated by the court or parole. A person with a criminal history may stay from 90 to 180 days. There is a mandated 12-week outpatient component as well. Participants receive various forms of counseling ranging from substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and anger management. Workshops are presented on resume writing, dressing for work and how to find and keep jobs. There is no job placement or development available. At this time (5-06) there is a question as to the future of this program. No new clients are being accepted; however, aftercare for current clients will continue.
Transition of Prisoners, Inc. (TOP) is a program that accepts people with criminal records who have been released from incarceration 30 days or less. TOP utilizes the services of area churches, community agencies and social service agencies to offer assistance to its clients. After attending four weekly group sessions a client is matched with an area church and a mentor. A case manager develops a transition plan with the client to meet the needs of the individual client. The assigned mentor assists the client in completing the transition plan. TOP provides referrals for basic essentials, food, clothing, shelter, and helps to arrange for job training and/or job development. Workshops on developing cognitive skills and conflict resolution are conducted in-house.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit provides services to individuals who are serving probation or have been recently released from a county or state correctional facility for a non-violent offense. Services include job readiness training, paid transitional work experience, basic academic and remedial training to improve math or reading skills and job placement. Employment follow-up/retention services are also provided.
PROVE (Post-Release Opportunities for Vocational Education) was created by a community-based program with funds from a federal lawsuit brought by women prisoners in Michigan. The participants, formerly incarcerated women, receive educational/vocational assessment, assistance in meeting educational and/or vocational goals and obtaining employment. PROVE provides monthly peer meetings, counseling, parenting classes, tutoring, grade monitoring, educational advice and application assistance.
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