Ex-Offender and Reentry Agencies
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
Regional Reentry Centers (RRC)
Description:
The Regional Reentry Centers (RRC) serve as the main point of reentry services for all state offenders released from a correctional facility. The regional reentry centers help ex-offenders by providing them with necessary services; on-going treatment and support in the community where these ex-offenders are returning.
Offenders released from prison without parole or who have completed their sentence and released from prison without supervision are transported to the RRC closest to the area where they are planning to return by the Department of Correction. The Department of Correction (DOC) collaborates with the Massachusetts Parole board and other agencies to provide reentry services and improve information sharing between criminal justice, law enforcement and social service agencies. Ex-offenders are free to return to the RRC centers any time after release for additional information and services.
Services:
Services offered are free and include:
- Case management
- Employment services and employment referrals
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse services
- Vocational training with opportunities to participate in work assignments and skill building programs
- Educational training
- Help obtaining basic needs such as clothing and food
- MassHealth Pilot program helps with MassHealth application for health care coverage
- Reentry Housing program with help in housing search and resources
- Help obtaining identification papers
- Referral for treatment programs for sex-offenders - registration with sex-offender registry board
- Transport to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain driver’s license
Contact Information:
There are eight reentry centers throughout Massachusetts, in Brockton, Framingham, Lawrence, Mattapan, New Bedford, Quincy, Springfield, and Worcester.
For contact information, see Regional Reentry Center Contact Information
SPAN, Inc.
Description:
SPAN, Inc. provides assistance to offenders and ex-offenders making the transition from prison to community living in Eastern and Central Massachusetts. Their goal is to provide people who are or have been in prison with the skills and services necessary to gain independence and succeed in their community.
Services:
SPAN, Inc. assists ex-offenders in meeting basic needs such as housing, employment, and social support. Services are free and include reintegration counseling, substance abuse counseling, HIV Health Education, case management, employment services, and housing services.
Services are also offered to offenders and ex-offenders with HIV and include Transitional Intervention Project (TIP), HIV Transitional Housing Program (THP), Peer Support Groups, and congregate meals.
Contact Information:
Span, Inc.
105 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: 617-423-0750 / 617-482-2717
E-mail:
Web site: SPAN, Inc.
Aid to Incarcerated Mothers (AIM)
Description:
AIM provides services to incarcerated mothers and their children, as well as women who have had trouble with the law in the past and are trying to improve their lives upon reentry into the community. AIM helps incarcerated mothers meet their parental responsibilities by providing them with the necessary information, resources, and support.
Services:
Services are free and include:
- Coordinating foster care review with DCF, children’s visitation, counseling and support for children of incarcerated mothers
- RENEW program which offers women in transition medical assistance, housing, education, jobs, parental assessment, and 1-on-1 counseling
- CHARM (Comprehensive Health to At-Risk Mothers) program which works with women on issues of self-esteem and domestic violence
- Support group for women who have returned to the community
- Referrals for services such as detox programs, shelters and sober houses
- Assistance housing search
- Classes on Parenting, Anger Management, Women's Support/Self-esteem, and Relapse Prevention
- Clothing for job interviews and for children, emergency assistance for basic necessities
- Free legal advocacy
- Legal representation in areas of adoption and foster care
Contact Information:
Aid to Incarcerated Mothers (AIM)
434 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 503
Boston MA 02118
Telephone: 617-536-0058 / Toll free: 1-800-246-4302
Web site: AIM Massachusetts
New England Prison Ministries
Description:
New England Prison Ministries helps released ex-offenders by providing them with a place to live, a connection with a church, and other services. They provide teaching, preaching, and mentoring inside and out of New England jails and prisons for current or former prisoners. People of all faith are offered services.
Services:
Services are free and include:
- Safe and affordable housing
- Job search assistance
- Christian mentoring programs
- Drop-in centers for encouragement and direction during the first weeks of release
Contact Information:
New England Prison Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 1785
Lowell, MA 01853
Telephone: 978-458-1721
Web site: New England Prison Ministries
Faith Unlimited Institute, Inc.
Description:
Faith Unlimited Institute is a faith-based non-profit organization that provides support services to ex-offenders who are returning to their communities and their families. The goal of the Faith Unlimited Institute is to reduce recidivism, make ex-offenders self-sufficient, and reunify and strengthen families.
Services:
Services are free and include:
- Faith-based mentoring
- Case management
- Strengthening families classes
- Referrals for housing and employment
- Support groups
- Coaching for job readiness
- Community resources for education and training
- Counseling services
- Operation Reach Out HIV prevention, counseling, and testing (Holyoke)
Contact Information:
Faith Unlimited Institute
Telephone: 413-540-9806
Web site: Faith Unlimited Institute
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Holyoke MA Office
Light of Restoration Ministries Inc.
98 Suffolk Street
Holyoke MA 01040
Telephone: 413-540-9806 ext. 110
Web site: Operation Reach Out
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Springfield MA Office
Greater Springfield Council of Churches
http://www.councilofchurchesgs.org/ 39 Oakland Street
Springfield MA 01103
Telephone: 413-733-2149 ext. 110
Web site: After-Incarceration Support Services
Coming Home Directory
Description:
The Coming Home Directory is a guide to agencies, programs, and services available to ex-offenders returning to the Greater Boston area. The purpose of the directory is to connect ex-offenders and their families with support services that will help them make a successful transition from incarceration to life in the community.
Services:
The Coming Home Directory includes information about a wide range of resources, including education programs, job training, employment assistance, food programs, housing, health care, legal services, substance abuse treatment, transportation, and other services.
Contact Information:
The Coming Home Directory is a project of the Crime & Justice Institute (CJI), a division of Community Resources for Justice. The directory is available online at:
You may also call the Crime & Justice Institute at 617-482-2520 x 128 for information.
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