Many thousands of individuals returning to society after prison are confronted with countless barriers — often with little support. Recent efforts to reform the justice system have shown promise, but for many formerly incarcerated individuals — particularly people of color — the reality of reentry remains overwhelming.

These challenges are compounded by systemic racism, housing discrimination and limited access to health care and employment — which are critical for a successful transition.

For those stepping out of prison after years of incarceration, the world is almost unrecognizable. Technology has advanced, opportunities are scarce and the stigma of a conviction lingers.

The most basic needs, such as proper clothing, hygiene products and even a safe place to live, are often unavailable. The isolation and shame felt by many reentering society are real, and without trauma-informed peer support, the cycle of recidivism looms large.

I know this because I’ve lived it. After my conviction in 2015, I felt like my entire career of serving others had come to an abrupt end. I wanted to disappear, ashamed of what my life had become.

Worse, I saw that the stigma attached to my conviction extended to my daughters who were in high school at the time; they carried the burden of my label as well. The isolation was suffocating, and the fear of rejection — by employers, landlords even friends — was a constant reality.

In 2024, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, more than 1.9 million people are held “in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,323 juvenile correctional facilities, 142 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories.”

A 2022 report shows that the U.S. had nearly 88,000 women in facilities, and 1.14 million men. Every year, many are released to restart their lives anew. The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that in 2023, 41,174 people re-entered society after release. So far this year, 27,407 individuals have done the same.

According to 2023 research, reentry is particularly difficult due to a lack of adequate aftercare services, housing instability and limited access to employment opportunities. These structural barriers often leave individuals vulnerable to recidivism, as they struggle to reintegrate into society without the necessary support systems.

Recent research in the International Journal of Law and Politics Studies shows that the emotional, psychological and societal barriers — isolation, stigma and a lack of familial support — make reintegration especially challenging.

For me, the desperation to keep my job made me vulnerable in ways I hadn’t imagined. After my conviction, a boss walked up behind me, placed his hand on the small of my back and whispered, “You’re so beautiful … so special.”

The chill of fear and disgust washed over me, but what hurt the most was the feeling of being trapped. Quitting wasn’t an option — I needed that job to survive.

Living with the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction puts a person in an unprotected class. Options are limited, and it often feels like the system is built to keep an individual marginalized, voiceless, and invisible.

Everything changed for me when I joined a peer-led training program in 2022 run by people who shared my experience with the criminal legal system. In that space, I rediscovered my voice, my power and the possibility of healing.

Now, as co-executive director of Nation Outside — a nonprofit that hires only formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals — I use my story to spark change. The organization thrives on the belief that lived experience is a strength in the fight for reform.

Many reentry programs are managed by organizations that seldom hire people with felony convictions, which unintentionally perpetuates a system focused more on punishment than rehabilitation. These programs lack the deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological toll of incarceration — something only those who’ve lived through it can truly grasp.

As someone who has walked this painful path, I know how transformative a peer mentor can be. They connect with participants in ways that parole officers or traditional service providers often can’t. And when someone overcomes trauma, despite the barriers stacked against them, it serves as a powerful reminder to others that a way forward is possible.

Programs like Seattle’s Women’s Reentry Initiative have shown the immense value of gender-responsive, trauma-informed approaches. These programs recognize the unique challenges that women face upon reentry, focusing on empowerment, stability and long-term success. They don’t just address immediate needs; they lay the groundwork for women to thrive.

Programs like John Legend’s Unlocked Futures initiative further illustrate the potential for justice-impacted individuals to lead successful, fulfilling lives after incarceration.

As part of his FREEAMERICA campaign, the Unlocked Futures accelerator supports formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs by providing grants, tools, mentorship and strategic support to help them build their businesses.

Similarly, while federal efforts like those highlighted by the National Institute of Justice stress the need for reforms that ensure access to health care and housing, it’s the inclusion of mentorship and peer-led programs that foster true healing and transformation. For instance, the 2023 Medicaid Reentry Section 1115 Demonstration Opportunity aims to provide individuals with care before release, ensuring they can succeed during reentry.

However, because Nation Outside is exclusively run by formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people, it does not meet the “provider fitness” requirements for Medicaid reimbursement under this opportunity.This creates a barrier to secure sustainable funding. A policy change would allow organizations led by people with lived experience to qualify as providers.

Peer-led models show that no one is defined by their past mistakes and that within every person lies untapped potential. These programs equip individuals with the tools to reclaim their dignity and navigate a world that often refuses to give them a second chance.

I know firsthand the power of peer-led, trauma-informed care. It’s time for policymakers, funders and communities to prioritize these programs and recognize the immeasurable value they bring.

Investing in these models doesn’t just transform individuals; it transforms entire communities. It is urgent to create a world where redemption and restoration aren’t just possible — they’re a reality.

Cecilia Zavala is co-executive director of Nation Outside and a public voices fellow on transformative justice with The OpEd Project.