In Prison, Ex-Offenders, People in Transition & Advocacy

Resource Center Without Walls

Through a network of community partners, we work with men and women in prison, former prisoners, people in transition, and their families through our "Resource Center Without Walls". We provide small group trainings and individual mentoring in general life skills, leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and areas related to transitioning back into family and community life.

We also convene gatherings that provide the opportunity for people with life experience with the criminal justice and prison systems to network with each other, exchange knowledge and resources, and solve problems. These gatherings usually take the shape of family sessions to strengthen family relationships as well as support and empowerment groups for prisoners and former prisoners. We also collaboratively convene roundtables for people to learn more about the criminal justice and prison systems from people with real life experiences, and organize advocacy efforts around related issues.

Download our Exoffender intake and needs assessment forms

Download CSI Reentry Brochure

View video "Overview of Reentry Roundtable"

View our two-minute video of an Overview to the CSI Reentry Program on YouTube.

View Part One of the Comprehensive Introduction to the CSI Reentry Program

View Part Two of the Comprehensive Introduction to the CSI Reentry Program

View North Carolina Re-entry Support Network Resources (as a PDF file) This is updated almost daily, so be sure to check it regularly.
View Carolina Justice Policy Center's Criminal Justice Resources (as a PDF file)

From Behind Bars... to Taking the Bar (Exam) Lynn Burke's successful journey from Prison to Law

Access CSI Ex Offenders Speaker Bureau here
Access CSI Mentors Program here

Download Reentry Survival Manual (pdf)

Access CSI National Reentry Resources here.

Download Guide book for Incarerated Veterans in North Carolina pdf file here.

Download Dept of Labor Reentry Toolkit pdf file here.

Goals for the Next 12 Months

To assist individuals by coaching them to create goals, and plans to reach their goals, in the areas of work, family, financial, and personal, as appropriate. We plan to work with 200 ex-offenders, 400 people who are in prison to help prepare them for the transition from prison, and 100 youth, ages 13–21, who are currently involved or may be close to being involved in the criminal justice system.
To continue identifying appropriate community resources and broker relationship building between individual ex-offenders and the needed resources, we will specifically inventory and connect people to:
- businesses that may hire ex-offenders, work-release inmates, and youth.
- training programs that enhance the participants opportunities of obtaining a good job with opportunities for advancement and career development.
- housing programs
- family counseling programs
- substance abuse counseling and recovery programs
- mental health counseling
To identify, coordinate, and nurture local leadership for local support and advocacy networks in each county I work in to assist ex-offenders and their families, people in life transitions, and youth.
To bring together ex-offenders that are currently leading positive, productive, and "successful" lives, or are "on the path" to do so, for mutual sharing. In addition, they will serve as role models to youth and as advisors to community volunteers and partners who wish to learn more about how to deal with the problems that ex-offenders face.