Beyond Us & Them’s latest Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative convening gave those reentering society from incarceration the spotlight to share their stories, showcasing real reentry stories out of LA.
The event began with a panel featuring two members of the formerly incarcerated community sharing their tips and testimonials for navigating life outside prison. Members of the audience asked questions and received insights about resource-sharing and ways to successfully integrate back into society.
From self-hatred to self-love
After the panel and Q&A, members of the Collaborative joined together for a grand spiral council that featured five seats to hold space for those called to enter the inner circle and share stories, surrounded by a large circle for everyone else to listen deeply and support the speakers with regard. Participants “spiraled” in and out of the center throughout the session.
The council touched on topics very familiar to the reentry community, as the sea of nodding heads affirmed. The sharing was deep and tender. Many spoke about feelings of self-hatred that landed them in the carceral system in the first place. Several individuals also spoke about being on a journey of self-love, and that it was “a gradual process.”
One particularly poignant share highlighted the experience of inner transformation while incarcerated. The individual who spoke described moving from a place of self-hatred to one of self-love and described the experience of “finding myself” while spending time behind the iron gates. The speaker described emerging from prison a new and changed person.
The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative community is constantly showing up for one other, sharing vulnerabilities and a realness that permeates this dynamic and engaged space. The vulnerability that’s brought forth in council practice often has the effect of making strangers into friends, and turning rivals into allies.
Real reentry stories from the LA Reentry Collaborative
Council practice emphasizes storytelling from the heart and nonjudgmental listening; what tends to emerge is the story of our shared human experience and the felt sense that we’re all in this together. Beyond Us & Them’s council-based programs are found in prisons, organizations, first responder agencies, schools and reentry pathways.
Real reentry stories from the day’s event:
- “I spent the last 40 years in prison and I’ve been out 7 years. It’s been a pleasure coming home and finding that we can get the support we need. I came home to some very special people and they supported me.”
- “I want to move closer to having the courage to be in spaces like this. Because of my self-doubt I’m learning to be comfortable in these spaces. We have a lot more in common and I’m grateful for that.”
- “One thing I’m trying to shed is my old self. My old self was coming out in a meeting yesterday and I want more of this. To be in a position to help out those who don’t know the way, but all it takes is one person in this room to listen.”
- “Self-care is a necessity and it’s vital for all of us doing this work.”
- “Having a second chance at life is really important. I truly believe that everyone has a strength to better themselves.”
- “Pride sent me through the CDC system my whole life so I’m trying to let go of pride, and helping my grandchildren not make the same mistakes that I did.”
- “I’m humbled and in awe to be in this circle with you guys, it’s an honor.”
Reducing Recidivism Across Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative is an initiative designed to improve reentry outcomes, reduce recidivism and advance public health across Los Angeles. This initiative is a community-based, cross-network consortium of 200+ member organizations and 600+ individuals, launched to strengthen coordination, reduce service fragmentation and improve outcomes for people transitioning from incarceration back into Los Angeles communities.
Our reentry network supports individuals, service workers, organizations, and systems working at the intersection of reentry, health, housing, workforce development, and community-based care.
Reentry as a Public Health Priority
Incarceration and reentry are among the most pressing public health challenges facing Los Angeles County.
Individuals returning from incarceration experience disproportionate rates of chronic illness, mental health challenges, housing instability, and unemployment. Without coordinated intervention, these barriers contribute to cycles of recidivism that negatively impact individuals, families, communities, and health systems.
The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative addresses these challenges by aligning providers, strengthening referral pathways, and supporting systems-level solutions that improve continuity of care and long-term stability.
Why The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative is Critical Now
Los Angeles County receives nearly one-third of all individuals released from California state prisons, many returning to Central and South Los Angeles, which are communities historically impacted by over-policing, racial inequity, and limited access to healthcare and economic opportunity.
Reentry is a multi-stage process requiring sustained coordination across systems. The Los Angeles Reentry Collaborative exists to meet this moment by strengthening cross-sector partnerships and advancing shared strategies that promote health equity, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety outcomes.
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