Simulation shows struggles people face when rejoining society after incarceration

The transition from jail or prison back into society is a difficult but important one, both for the previously incarcerated and for their neighbors, friends, family and future employers.

Experts say when the right resources are available communities are safer. But getting those resources can be hard. That was the lesson of a simulation event run Friday at North Carolina Central University.

The event was hosted by the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice (TREC), North Carolina Central University School of Law (NCCU Law), the Department of Adult Correction (DAC), the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of North Carolina and Conservatives for Criminal Justice Reform. Participants – people who work with those trying to re-adjust to society – learned about the challenges those people face.

They were tasked with completing a checklist – visiting tables that represented a court appearance, a visit with a probation officer and a career center to find a job.

It was a journey that Will Elmore, owner of Community Based Landscapers, experienced years ago as he tried to rebuild his life after a 25-year prison sentence.

Elmore was released in 2015 to a whole new world.

"For example, cash was king when I went into prison," he said. "When I got out of prison, it was all about your credit card, debit card. How that was used was new."

According to the State Department of Adult Correction, more than 15,000 people are released from prison in North Carolina each year and most return to their home communities.

Emily Coward, a member of the governor's task force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, said, "We really want to support re-entry services because this is a difficult journey. ... What's frustrating is that in one of these simulations, it doesn't matter how hard you try if the resources aren't there."

North Carolina has 17 local reentry councils, serving 19 counties, including councils in Wake, Durham, Orange, Nash and Edgecombe counties.

Nisha Williams is another member of the criminal justice task force. She says those local councils are one of the most effective tools for re-entry.

Just last month, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction partnered with the DMV to provide photo ID to offenders who are due for release, one less barrier for them as they re-enter into society.

Elmore now runs his own landscaping company, extending a hand and a job to those transitioning out of prison.

"That plant that you just planted, you're planting a seed of something in you," he said.