Members of the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative gathered for an inspirational talk with California’s first Latina Surgeon General, Dr. Diana Ramos. During her visit, Dr. Ramos offered an informative and wide-ranging presentation, as well as a more informal Q&A that included thoughtful, personalized advice for those in our reentry community. Attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time networking, socializing — and posing for pictures. Collaborative members appreciated the authentic connection and specialized attention, and also mentioned “the hands-on communication, amazing speaker, and all the information and knowledge shared” as features of the day they enjoyed most.

From the streets of South Central Los Angeles to California’s first Latina Surgeon General

Speaking about Adverse Childhood Experiences, Dr. Ramos brought up her own childhood, one of humble beginnings, that started in South Central Los Angeles. She found herself surrounded by neighbors often in trouble with the law and spoke of the indelible and traumatizing image of seeing a dead body outside of her building one morning. The first in her family to go to college, Dr. Ramos worked her way out of that environment by focusing on her schooling. These days, she makes the mental health of Californians one of her top priorities and insists on creating community among those who need it most.

“We’re born into communities, we’re born into a family, and the hope is that whether that family changes from birth and progresses, or really transforms as we get older, that we have some type of community available to us,” Dr. Ramos observed. “And, really, that community could be after you get out of the prison system or the jail system. It could be some of the organizations that you help bring together that provide the support, provide the housing, provide the medical care, mental healthcare that everyone is so critically in need of.”

Adverse Childhood Experiences and rate of incarceration 

Dr. Ramos was able to break the cycle in her own life and she now inspires others to do the same. She spoke to the convening about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are linked to poor mental health and poor social outcomes, like arrest and incarceration. The more adverse experiences in childhood, the more likely a person is to have contact with the justice system. 

Unsurprisingly, research suggests a significant relationship between adolescent maltreatment and increased risk for arrest, general and violent offending, and illicit drug use. One study found that, among adult female inmates, over 70 percent reported experiencing intense physical violence during childhood from parents or other caregivers.

One attendee at the convening remarked: “I loved the info on ACEs and how it affects the entire family.” Providing helpful information and community discussions of critical topics like these is one of the goals of the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative. A key to overcoming the impact of ACEs is having a healthy community to belong to and caring friends you can call upon in times of need. Dr. Ramos described the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative as one of those key resources, uniquely weaving together formerly incarcerated individuals dealing with the challenges of reentering society with organizations directly committed to remedying this public health crisis.

“I think this reentry community is amazing,” Dr. Ramos continued. “To be able to bring people who really are going through the whole system, the reentry system, to be able to bring in organizations, to be able to bring in those who are providing the peer support is fantastic. And this, I think, is the combination and the formula that you need for success. So thank you for all the work that you’re doing.”

Decreasing the rate of reoffense

The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative is a network of organizations partnering to promote successful reentry and reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals and reduce recidivism in Los Angeles.

Reducing recidivism rates is a considerable challenge and is of enormous importance. The cost implications, social, and human consequences of high recidivism rates are numerous and profound. Significant community support is essential to the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, as this reduces the feeling of isolation that these individuals often experience; social connection increases their chances of success and reduces the likelihood of recidivism.

In addition to hearing from and interacting with Dr. Ramos, attendees of this convening took part in a Q&A panel that addressed direct challenges related to reentry, along with facilitated breakout groups offering intimate “council circles” for sharing authentically and listening to the heartfelt stories and experiences of others.

Increasing social connection

Council circles offer unique “structures of belonging” that enable groups to come together and build social connection through mindful presence, authentic expression and attentive listening. Increasing social connection and providing adequate community support have a positive impact on recidivism rates and general wellbeing. Financial struggles, social pressures, the stigma of incarceration, repair of damaged family dynamics relationships and other relationship challenges are common issues for those who are on the journey of reentry and council offers a container for holding and unpacking these topics in an effective and inclusive way. Adequate social connections are crucial resources in addressing these multifaceted challenges; the support of community reduces the feeling of isolation. Building connection post-release is crucial to reducing recidivism.

Oftentimes, attendees’ most remarked-upon portion of the convening includes the breakout council circles. Council practice is the cornerstone of Beyond Us & Them’s work across a variety of sectors and encourages social connection through heartfelt listening and storytelling. Participants have a direct encounter with the shared human experience, and the idea that we’re all in this together. Participant feedback often singles out the council circles as “meaningful and impactful” and highlight the unique and healing opportunity “To get to hear other people’s stories.”

The wellbeing of system-impacted populations presents an enormous challenge

Addressing the needs of system-impacted populations is a necessary facet in improving the overall public health conditions of Los Angeles. California, and Los Angeles in particular, is home to very large populations of system-impacted people. The health and wellness needs of individuals involved in the reentry process are critically important, as is the sustainability of those professionals who serve the sector.

Addressing this complex need calls for the mobilization of a strong, interwoven network of providers, resources and solutions. The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative seeks to engage the emergent collective wisdom of a diverse, interconnected, multi-sector collaboration to respond to this profound challenge. Launched as an initiative of Beyond Us and Them, the Collaborative supports a wide network of over 200 reentry service providers in Los Angeles, as one of 37 Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) funded by CACHI.

The Office of the California Surgeon General launched a 24 million dollar public awareness campaign on ACEs and toxic stress. Beyond Us & Them is honored to partner with Dr. Ramos and her staff to address these critical needs. California is leading the way in addressing this public health crisis. Together, we can build a national movement.

Incarceration in California is a public health crisis. See what the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative is doing about it.

Want to learn more?

Find out about our dedicated reentry program here.

Learn about all of our Beyond Us & Them programs here.

Help support our essential work by becoming a regular supporter – donate here.

For more information on this and other Beyond Us & Them programs, please contact us.