To support people involved in the criminal legal system in changing from the inside out, and to educate the public, in order to promote healing, restore relationships and achieve success in the community.
Inside Out Reentry Community is based in Iowa City and serves people returning to Johnson County after incarceration. Returning to and becoming an active member of society after being in prison is tough, and we strive to give individuals the support they need to reach their goals.
Approximately 95% of currently incarcerated individuals in Iowa will be reentering society.
What we offer:
A drop-in Resource Center: a safe place to seek support. The drop-in center also provides the following resources that are available when we are open and by appointment:
Case Management and Reentry Planning — Including goal setting, resources and referrals for health care, mental health care, substance use recovery, identification, and assistance with forms and applications.
Employment Readiness — Assistance with job applications, resumes, and interviewing skills.
Housing — Assistance with housing searches and applications, accessing credit reports, referrals to housing assistance programs.
Resources — Bus passes, a backpack with hygiene products upon release, and access to Inside Out’s resource closet with donated clothing and household items.
Life Skills — personal finances, mindfulness, communication skills, healthy relationships, etc.
Meetings: Our meetings are open to our members, and those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. If you would like to get involved with Inside Out please contact us!
Community Meetings: Every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm, we hold weekly group mentoring community meetings. Every meeting features a check-in where members share successes and challenges with one another, and give and receive support. Meetings include discussions related to reentry, workshops on life skills, small group activities, and presentations from community speakers.
Coffee and Connections: Every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 pm we host a peer -led support group for those in all stages of recovery who have also been involved in the criminal legal system. Inspired by Johann Hari’s famous Ted Talk, the group is based off the belief that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection. The group meets weekly to share successes, discuss challenges, and show peer support for others in the group.
Creative Collective: On the first and third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, we host a writing and creative arts group. The group helps those interested in writing expand their skills, experiment with different styles, and engage in the healing properties of writing.
Mentoring pairs a returning citizen with a community volunteer for social, emotional, and practical support. Mentors form a meaningful friendship and help a returning citizen overcome barriers, increase their confidence, and reach their goals.
Inside Out Reentry Community aims to reduce the social stigma returning citizens often feel.
Contact
[email protected] (319) 338-7996 804 S Capitol St, Iowa City, IA 52240
Join us for Parent Cafe tonight at One Ancient Hope (500 N Clinton St, Iowa City) from 5:30-8 pm! 5:30 is the meal, and 6-8 is the cafe! If childcare is needed call 319-338-7996 to register, otherwise see you there!
Join us for our FREE Spring Concert Fundraiser featuring The Cedar County Cobras! Enjoy a great afternoon in the May sunshine with kids’ activities, incredible raffles, and tasty concessions — all supporting our mission of helping people returning from incarceration in Johnson County. Bring a lawn chair and join the fun!
#reentrymatters #reentry
Our FREE Spring Concert is tomorrow! During our concert, head over to @greenhouseic to enjoy unique, refreshing beverages. $1 for every beverage purchased between 3 and 5 pm will be donated to Inside Out!
Check out our Spring Concert sponsors and in-kind supporters – your support makes our event possible! Thank you – and don't forget to join us at Chauncey Swan for our FREE concert with the Cedar County Cobras!
#gratitude #reentrymatters
Thanks to @riversidecasino we have an amazing package as part of our Spring Concert raffle.
Join us this Sunday from 3-5pm at Chauncey Swan in Iowa City to enjoy our free concert fundraiser featuring the @cedarcountycobras and purchase a few raffle tickets!
One of our Spring Concert raffle prizes is 2 season opener Hawkeye football tickets! Join us this Sunday from 3-5pm at Chauncey Swan in Iowa City to enjoy our free concert fundraiser featuring the Cedar County Cobras! And purchase a few raffle tickets for a chance to win. #reentrymatters #freeconcert
May 2026 Newsletter Our Spring Concert is Almost Here! Join us on Sunday May 31st from 3-5 pm for our free upcoming Spring Concert Fundraiser featuring the masterful country blues duo – The Cedar County Cobras. It’s sure to be a Read more
March 2026 Newsletter Our 4th year of incredible art, inspiration and human connections! Creativity hung on the walls and inspiration was abundant at our Art from the Inside Out reception on February 6th! Artists, family members representing their Read more
Everyday Iowa – Inside Out Reentry Community’s Art from the Inside Out Link to video interview on Everyday Iowa with Executive Director Michelle Heinz. _______________________________ Little Village – ‘Art is my escape’: Paintings, drawings, a Read more
