Indianapolis is making strides in reducing recidivism and supporting reentrants through the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS) Division of Reentry. As Second Chance Month concludes, the city celebrates its milestone of serving more than 6,000 individuals in 2024, providing critical support for those transitioning from incarceration to stability.
A cornerstone of this success is the 24/7 Release Lobby at the Community Justice Campus, which serves as a vital starting point for returning citizens.
“The Release Lobby is about providing healthy and helpful solutions and resources with compassion and humanity,” said Winta Gebremichael, administrator of the Division of Reentry.
In 2024 alone, the Release Lobby connected:
- 3,776 individuals to at least one support service.
- 1,952 individuals to two services.
- 256 individuals to three or more services.
Support services include immediate aid like bus passes and food packages, as well as long-term resources such as housing assistance, behavioral health services and employment referrals. A personalized Needs Assessment ensures reentrants receive tailored support.
Stable housing remains a significant challenge for reentrants. In 2024, the Division’s Reentry Housing Liaison successfully placed 79 individuals in reentrant-friendly housing, a key factor in reducing reoffending. Employment is another critical element; data from the Indiana Department of Correction shows a GED and post-release job can decrease recidivism by 15.1%.
To learn more about OPHS’ Division of Reentry and its impact, visit indy.gov/ophs-reentry.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
