Returning Home from Incarceration: This Reentry Ministry is Improving Outcomes!

We collected data from 58 participants in the first round of data collection for our three-year evaluation project in partnership with House of Mercy Ministries (HOM) to determine whether the program improves reintegration outcomes for individuals coming out of incarceration. We also evaluated which components of the program participants were most satisfied with and what additional services or recommendations participants would like to make about their reentry services.

Study Design

To carry out this evaluation project, we developed a survey that included quantitative questions assessing participants’ demographics, perceptions of HOM’s program and services, thinking patterns, coping strategies, social relationships/perceived social support, meaningful work trajectories, and positive social engagement. The survey also included four open-ended qualitative questions to gauge participants’ perceptions of HOM and their suggestions for improvement.

Key Findings

How to Succeed in Reentry

Researchers suggest that the factors most likely related to reentry success are the development of healthy thinking patterns, effective coping strategies, positive social engagement, positive interpersonal relationships, and meaningful work trajectories. Based on the research findings in this evaluation’s first round of data collection, the House of Mercy’s reentry program and services improved participant outcomes.

HOM's Reentry Ministry

House of Mercy’s stated mission is to heal our culture by restoring the lives of men in transition through safe, supportive housing, leadership training, and discipleship to rebuild lives and raise up the foundations of many generations through biblically centered programming that includes pastoral counseling, peer counseling, life skills classes, addiction recovery, and discipleship to men in need of a second chance.

House of Mercy helps men build sustainable lives for themselves and their families in a support atmosphere of transformation, enabling them to resume their roles as fathers, husbands, brothers, friends, and community leaders. House of Mercy supports men as they build healthy thinking patterns, effective coping strategies, positive social engagement, positive interpersonal relationships, and meaningful work trajectories, thereby improving overall post-release success.

Positive Impact of HOM's Programs: Evaluation Findings

Based on the first data collection and analysis round, it appears that HOM is achieving its desired outcomes. Specifically, program participants rated themselves highly regarding their perceptions of HOM’s programs and services, ability to think adaptively under stress, psychological strength and approach to problem-solving, perceived social support, employment and educational trajectories, and positive use of leisure time. The evaluation findings support the continued inclusion of existing program components to support successful reentry and offer suggestions for additional programming.

Related blogs:

How to influence positive outcomes in reentry.

Breaking the cycle: Empowering formerly incarcerated individuals for successful reentry.

Peer mentoring in reentry: Breaking the cycle of recidivism.

Unlocking positive change: The power of Moral Reconation Therapy in reducing recidivism rates

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