HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Calvin Green walked back and forth around the table, illustrating how he felt when he received his first smartphone after spending nearly 26 years behind bars. During a session with fellow inmates at the John M. Wynne Unit, he shared his initial fear and frustration when he was unable to answer a phone call. “I was incredibly scared. The phone rang, and I didn’t know how to open it. My instinct was to smash it due to my frustration,” he described. Alone in the living room of his new apartment after his release, Green turned on some Fred Hammond worship music and paced for an hour to calm his nerves.
As he recounted his experience to the group, Green tucked his hands into his pockets and reflected. A student quickly related to his feelings, saying, “You’re in your cell.” Green affirmed, “I’m in my cell,” and went on to explain how, during that overwhelming moment, he had to reassure himself, “I’m good, I’m good,” until he regained his composure. His story was part of a summer class designed to help inmates prepare for life outside of prison, highlighting the challenges they face upon reentry into society and offering strategies to cope with those obstacles.
In his role as a reentry specialist at Baytown-based Lee College, Green leads Texas’s only class focused on preparing incarcerated individuals for life after prison. Over a six-week period, students engage in discussions about the impact of incarceration on mental health, establish concrete goals for their futures, and learn job-seeking skills. “We have sincere discussions here. What we talk about in this classroom can significantly change their futures,” Green emphasized.
The demand for the class is evident, shown by the two-inch stack of requests from inmates eager to join the program. One inmate, Mark Thompson, neatly penned a note asking to start the class immediately to help reestablish his life. There are more than 250 inmates on the waitlist for classes offered at nine prison facilities serviced by Lee College, with others expressing interest in transferring units just to participate.
Every day, nearly 140,000 inmates in Texas adhere to strict schedules for eating, sleeping, and working, leaving them little opportunity to connect with the outside world. Texas prisons limit internet access and library facilities, hindering inmates’ ability to research jobs, educational opportunities, or necessary housing arrangements as they approach their release.
The transition back into society can often be challenging for former inmates. Many face rejection from employers due to their criminal records, and others must navigate complicated family dynamics. Reentry programs aim to facilitate positive decisions during this critical period. Research indicates that these initiatives can lower recidivism rates and assist ex-inmates in securing employment. The structured environment of such classes also fosters social connections and mentorships, essential for those struggling to rebuild or forge new relationships.
In recent years, funding for reentry programs has seen an increase, reflecting growing support for these initiatives. Texas lawmakers allocated $500,000 in 2019 for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Houston to aid inmates in their transition. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education reinstated federal Pell Grants for incarcerated students last year, providing financial assistance for college and enabling greater support for those released.
Community colleges are strategically positioned to manage reentry programs, as many already provide degrees to inmates. While Lee College’s program is currently the most comprehensive available, there are aspirations to expand it further. The college plans to partner with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to implement a pilot program that delivers podcasts and videos from its reentry classes directly to inmate tablets.
Roderick Jackson, who experienced minimal support during his time in prison, voiced the need for effective reentry guidance. While reentry specialists are assigned to inmates nearing release, Jackson felt the guidance he received was lacking. He expressed frustration at the absence of practical discussions about job opportunities or scholarship applications, stating, “There was absolutely nothing.”
Green’s class mainly consists of individuals nearing their release dates, many having completed associate degrees at Lee College while incarcerated. He reassured them that they are already better prepared than he was upon his release. “I wasted too much time playing dominoes and hitting the gym. Education and certifications are foundational building blocks,” he joked.
The course educates inmates on proactive steps they can take while still incarcerated to ensure future success. Green advises seeking clerical roles to become familiar with computer systems, as well as looking for flyers in parole offices providing information about available resources like free cell phones and food stamps.
Once released, these students will disperse throughout the state, embarking on new chapters. Some will return to their hometowns, while others may opt for urban areas to start afresh. Regardless of their chosen paths, Green reassures them that support is available, sharing resources that can aid them in their transitions.
Texas Workforce Solutions operates regional offices that connect former inmates with local job opportunities. Additionally, those without robust family assistance or housing can access transitional living arrangements in larger Texas cities. “This programming aims to instill hope and equip individuals with necessary tools,” said Tracy Williams, the director of reentry services at Lee College. “Like Batman with his utility belt, our students have various tools at their disposal to help them succeed in society.”
In a crucial first class activity, Lee College reentry specialist Michelle Banewski administered a personality assessment to gauge the inmates’ emotional stability. Many common responses reflect anxiety and trust issues, revealing the psychological challenges they will confront upon reentry. “They’re in survival mode,” Banewski observed, emphasizing the need for them to rebuild aspects of their personalities after release.
Research indicates that prolonged incarceration can severely impact mental health, leading to conditions resembling PTSD, such as anxiety, nightmares, and substance abuse. “We witness situations that are unimaginable for most people,” said Rudy Resendez, a student. The ongoing psychological distress after prison can result in social isolation, impeding former inmates’ abilities to find and retain jobs, perpetuating cycles of poverty, exclusion, and reoffending.
Discussing the mental health difficulties they may face prepares inmates to seek help and avoid returning to prison. Data from 2020 shows that the recidivism rate among individuals who participated in Lee College programs was around 11%, significantly lower than the state’s overall rate of 14% within three years of release.
In his seven years behind bars, Resendez has pursued business courses aiming to start his own venture post-release, alongside obtaining a welding certification. With family members who have also been incarcerated, he is committed to breaking the cycle for the next generation. “I’m determined to do everything I can to avoid returning to that place,” Resendez declared.