The journey home from prison is a lot longer and more challenging than the bus ride back to the neighborhood.
Finding the way to freedom after incarceration can feel like an obstacle course. Locating housing and employment, overcoming old habits and facing new challenges, the stigma of being an “ex-offender” and the repair and renewal of supportive and healthy relationships with families and friends can be overwhelming.
Ray knows that the path to freedom has to start before those first steps outside the electrified double fence. He’s done some work on himself and learned some powerful tools inside, through life-skills and self-help programs. Tonight, alone in his cell, his journey to freedom begins.
Join Ray as he invites the most important people from his life to speak with him in a council circle. He will call in the voices of friends and family who have powerful stories, reflections and resources to offer. What they have to share will open Ray’s heart and provide the nourishment and support he needs to step into the next chapter of his life and truly leave prison behind.
Leaving Prison Behind: A Council Before I Go is an illustrated novella created from the words and stories of system-impacted individuals, and those who support them. The book grew out of Beyond Us & Them’s (formerly Center for Council) Council Reentry Program, with the intention of supporting and resourcing incarcerated individuals preparing themselves for the journey home. Some will recognize the practice of council that the characters enact in this story — and others will encounter it for the first time. Along with the story of the last night of our protagonist’s incarceration, the book includes a robust resource section with ideas, references and practices intended to be of support to those preparing for and embarking on the challenging journey that lies ahead.
“It feels like the characters were speaking directly to me… and I know that I am not the only one that has had those issues. I know there are guys that are waiting to get out – that think they have shit under control – that may be blindsided by life in the real world, and I think this book will help shine some light on things that may come.”
SJ
“A smart, masterful read… I was able to identify with the characters in the book and I became transposed into the memories of my own experiences in being found suitable for parole and waiting for the review period, before embracing I was actually returning to society. [It] truly opens up the reader to the pitfalls, challenges, realities, of living with prison mentality on the outside.”
JD
“I can completely relate to the fears and anxiety right before release… not knowing how to be successful outside of prison. I was flooded with insecurities and fears of the unknown. This book sent me back in time and filled me with gratitude for the tools council provided which ultimately helped metransition successfully into the community.”
MH
The Council Reentry Program has since transformed into the Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative and is made possible through the support of generous donors and supporters like you. Help support our essential work by becoming a regular supporter – donate here.
Want to learn more?
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.
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