Reentry in the News

See what the Missouri Department of Corrections and partner organizations are doing to help incarcerated Missourians successfully return to the community.

Reentry Opportunity Center (ROC)

A new Columbia community center serves as a one-stop shop to help Boone County residents returning from jail or prison access resources they need.

Anne Precythe and Dan Hanneken — Missouri Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe and in2Action founder Dan Hanneken sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a partnership for the new Reentry Opportunity Center in Columbia, Missouri. Photo from KRCG.

“New center aims to keep recently released inmates on the right path” - KOMU
“New center aims to connect former inmates to much needed resources” - Columbia Missourian
“Reentry Opportunity Center opens for former prison inmates in Boone County” - KRCG
“Newly Opened Center Will Provide Reentry Services for Former Inmates” - KBIA

ASPIRE MO

Women in a Vandalia prison learn entrepreneurship skills that can help them launch their own businesses after release.

Women in graduate caps with corrections administrators and First Lady Teresa Parson. — Emily Kirchhoff poses for photos with Missouri Women’s Council Executive Director Kellie Ann Coats and Missouri Women’s Business Center Director Jessie Yankee after graduating from the ASPIRE MO entrepreneurship program at Women's Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center. Photo from Columbia Missourian.

"Prison program teaches women how to be entrepreneurs" - Columbia Missouri
"Aspiring to Change and Giving Hope" - Columbia Business Times
"Meet the graduating class of Missouri’s new prison entrepreneurship academy" - Missouri Business Alert
"Teresa Parson to give commencement address as inmates complete entrepreneurship program" - The Missouri Times
"Business Beat: ASPIRE MO" - KBIA
"Inaugural class completes ASPIRE MO Entrepreneurship Program" - Vandalia Leader
Reentry Coordinator Danielle Bellamy and Missouri Women's Council Executive Director Kellie Ann Coats on Missouri Viewpoints - Missouri Viewpoints

Urban League

Algoa Correctional Center pilots the first Urban League program to operate in a prison in the organization's century-long history.

Akeel Gibson-Bey and Emory Hayes take part in a graduation ceremony at Algoa Correctional Center after completing the first Urban League program to be held inside a prison in the organization's 110-year history. Photo from the Columbia Missourian.

"New inmate program hopes to guide participants to success" - Columbia Missourian
"Inmates graduate from program to help transition out of prison" - KOMU
"Program prepares men at Algoa Correctional Center for change in their lives" - Jefferson City News-Tribune
"Algoa prisoners participate in new program" - KJLU
"12 Algoa prisoners chosen to participate in new program: New program will provide intensive employment readiness, life skills and cognitive training" - Jefferson City News-Tribune

Life Beyond Bars Series

KOLR TV series hows how the Missouri Department of Corrections prepares Missourians in the criminal justice system for successful reentry into the community.

Two women giving haircuts to two other women — In the cosmetology program at Chillicothe Correctional Center,women learn the skills they need for beauty-industry jobs. Photo from KOLR

Director Anne Precythe: "Courageous Conversations: Life behind bars" - KOLR
Chillicothe Correctional Center: "Life Beyond Bars: Vocational Training Inside Missouri Prisons" - KOLR
Reentry Officer Shelley Staton: "Life Beyond Bars: The Reentry Process" - KOLR
Third Street Sportswear: "Life Beyond Bars: Employers Hiring Former Offenders" - KOLR

Connections to Success

Working in multiple Missouri prisons, Connections to Success provides intensive life coaching and job preparation to prepare incarcerated Missourians for release.