What do you call a person who has completed a prison sentence? A felon? An ex-felon? An ex-convict? A neighbor?  How about a returning citizen? At least 95% of those incarcerated in state prisons will return to the community at some point (csgjusticecenter.org/nrrc/facts-and-trends/). We will all benefit from finding a healthy way to reintegrate these individuals into the community and rebuild lives.

An orderly society requires that there be consequences for unlawful actions. There are many issues of (un)fairness in the US criminal justice system. I am considering what happens when persons convicted of a crime complete their time in prison and return to the community.

I once took a group of teachers to a Volunteers of America (VOA)-run halfway house in Minneapolis. Our staff guide led us through a game to explore the challenges of re-entry. You have no money, you can’t easily rent an apartment or get a job, and your friends from before prison are likely to be among those who contributed to your unlawful behavior. It is very hard to make it on the outside. It is very hard to avoid reconnecting to destructive connections. While those friends will take you back, others are less likely to do so.

Minnesota’s “ban the box” law went into effect in 2014 (mn.gov/mdhr/assets/Ban_the_Box_FAQ_tcm1061-213193.pdf). This law says that employers can’t simply use a check box about convictions on an initial job application to bar all those with a criminal record from their workplace without even meeting with them. This is a first step to help some reintegrate.

The world premiere of Lynn Nottage’s play, Floyd’s, was at the Guthrie Theater recently. This play is set at a sandwich shop in which all of the employees were formerly incarcerated. This gives management power over them, because their employment opportunities are limited and they need to support themselves and their families. That power is easily abused against marginalized people. The audience gets to know the stories of the workers and see the challenges and conflicts that may have led to their incarceration and which contribute to their ongoing vulnerability as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

There is a sandwich shop in Minneapolis with a more positive effort to employ citizens returning to the community, All Square (4047 Minnehaha Ave. S., Wednesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.). All Square is a criminal justice social enterprise that “invests in the minds and lives of justice-impacted individuals” (allsquarempls.com/). The restaurant is one part of their program to help those with a criminal record develop their potential and be positive members of the community.

For another view of the challenges of making it upon release from prison, check out this (16 minute) video, “Exoffenders Matter” (theatlantic.com/video/index/591364/sister-hearts/). It focuses on the work of ex-offender Maryam Henderson-Uloho, who after 13 years in prison felt “broken—mentally, emotionally and physically.” She struggled, but ultimately created a safe space for others coming out of prison to help them regain independence.

Talking about help for those who have committed crimes can be very tough. Victims of crimes and their families often don’t get the help they need. However, when a person has been convicted, the punishment carried out, and the person returns...then what?