Simulation helps community members understand challenges after incarceration

Community members, educators, employers and others are encouraged to learn how individuals, after serving prison time, face a multiple challenges reentering the community and finding employment during a reentry simulation event held later this month. Inside Out Reentry… Read More

Iowa City art exhibit highlights creativity while incarcerated

Five drawings by Shawn Lurkens are displayed as part of the “Art from the Inside Out” art show in Iowa City, but — like Lurkens’ dealings with the criminal justice system — none of them are finished. All… Read More

Johnson County nonprofit to open reentry house for formerly incarcerated men

Inside Out, a Johnson County nonprofit organization that supports people returning to society after being incarcerated, will be opening a reentry house in Iowa City for low-income, formerly incarcerated men. The house, at 719 Page St., was recently… Read More

Iowa City nonprofit to open reentry house to help formerly incarcerated men

Inside Out Reentry Community is hoping this is just the first of several housing options they will be able to offer in the future. To view this video, click here: KCRG News

Inside Out Reentry Community purchases first Iowa City home for formerly incarcerated persons

Affordable, furnished housing is now available to six formerly incarcerated Iowa City individuals thanks to Inside Out Reentry Community’s new purchase. The nonprofit based in Iowa City dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated persons re-enter society has purchased its… Read More

Eastern Iowa Groups Offer Support for Children of Imprisoned Parents

It’s a traumatic event when a parent goes to prison. Trauma for the parent, spouse, and children. Especially the children. Inside Out Reentry Community of Iowa City has launched a new project to help those kids. It’s a… Read More

The reentry struggle: COVID makes path to productive life harder for ex-offenders

Rich Mathias knows firsthand the despair of being in prison — and the despair of being released. “Being in prison, especially during a holiday, is one of the worst things you can go through,” he told me this… Read More

Formerly incarcerated women in Iowa share the challenges they faced during re-entry

Lisa Smith felt like “nothing was done” to prepare her for re-entry following the six years she served at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. She also wasn’t prepared for the loneliness she would feel. “I was surrounded… Read More

Thousands on parole still can’t vote and one hurdle may be inability to pay restitution

The last time Marlon Graham Sr. was allowed to vote, he cast his vote for Barack Obama while he was living in Minnesota. But back in Des Moines where he’s lived most of his life, Graham is still… Read More

Rich Mathias, formerly of Burlington, plays role in restoration of Iowa felon voting rights

[Source: https://www.thehawkeye.com/news/20200806/rich-mathias-formerly-of-burlington-plays-role-in-restoration-of-iowa-felon-voting-rights The Hawk Eye, 6 August 2020, by Robin Opsahl Des Moines Register] IOWA CITY — Rich Mathias, formerly of Burlington, hoped the bumpy road to regaining his right to vote could help end Iowa’s status as… Read More