BOISE, IDAHO (CBS2) — St. Vincent de Paul helps those transitioning out of the prison system with their Re-entry Services Program.
According to St. Vincent, every year 1000 inmates in the state prison system are released into Ada County and Saint Vincent de Paul says the rate of recidivism is 35%.
That's what leads them to aid those returning to society after being incarcerated. St. Vincent de Paul says the transition back into society after being incarcerated is tough.
Ralph May Executive Director of the organization says it's a time of stress for many leaving the criminal justice system.
"There's a lot of unknowns, you don't have a job. You have to move out of a place that has been very structured and tells you what to do, virtually all day long," he said.
May says a lot of these people don't feel accepted as they return to normal life.
"These individuals as they come out aren't always welcomed completely into society. They feel like they are less, at times. They aren't, but they may feel that way and people may treat them that way."
Mareesa Rule St. Vincent's Development Director says that's where they come in to help with anything from job placement to helping out by simply giving someone a ride.
"We tell individuals to come to us wherever you are in your re-entry process, we are here when you need us," she said. "Whether that is pre-release and you're interested in career development, programming, and resources, or if you just want a ride or in need of food, if you need a clothing voucher or a bus pass."
The month of May is Mental Awareness Month. Mark Rinick the organization's Program Manager says they do their best when it comes to helping those in the criminal justice system struggling with mental health.
"You can't quite tell someone's mental health as you're picking them up, but you know that they have potential issues. If you know that they're carrying around medication that they're leaving the institution with, then you need to make sure that we say, "Hey make sure you see a doctor and you follow up with that," Rinick said.
St. Vincent says they're currently working with a little over 100 people per month that are currently in the transition process or are already out.
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