RETURNING CITIZENS PROGRAM

“None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.”

While volunteering as prison chaplains, we work with inmates who hold college degrees from Boston College, etc., technical expertise, and clear leadership potential. Upon their release, our mission continues: helping them start businesses, access job training, and adapt to the challenges of an ever-evolving economy. This initiative isn’t simply about reintegration—it’s about empowerment. With structured mentorship and community partnerships, we aim to guide returning citizens toward stable, independent futures that uplift not only themselves but also the communities they rejoin.

Boston and Massachusetts have made real strides in reducing recidivism: the statewide three-year recidivism rate fell to 26% for individuals released from state prisons in 2019, down from 29% for the previous year. Among women, the rate dropped even further to 23%. This progress reflects the impact of comprehensive reentry programming, targeted interventions, and community partnerships focused on rehabilitation and reintegration, helping more people successfully rebuild their lives after incarceration and improving public safety across the region.

Source: Massachusetts Department of Correction Recidivism Report, 2024