I was recently asked to visit CRCI for an evening of relational meetings with people who are on their way home from the facility. Being an alumnus of CRCI, I was excited to visit – free from the pressure of external forces. I was pleased to see so many people active in their own pursuit of transformation, formulating a plan before being released to the street, and supporting each other in their efforts to do so. I know from experience that planning after release does not work well.

We began with introductions and then went into the first relational meetings. The men that I was seated with shared similar stories about their need of support and housing before and upon release. I believe housing is one of the biggest barriers to successful prison-to-community transition. If we go back to the same people and places that we came from, then we are extremely likely to end up with the same results.

I shared my experience with Oxford House, and was asked about them by several people after I spoke. I felt a great deal of gratitude being able to talk to the men that night. I hope to visit again, and to see more community leaders take an active role to support the people we visited and others before their release dates, and when we welcome them home.

Thank you all for sharing your stories with me.

Jeff Stiles, Leader
Recovery Association Project