Skip to Navigation
Skip to Main Content
About
Attorney & Staff Resources
Community Resources
Public Defender Offices
State Agency Directory
|
Phone Directory
|
Online Services
Online Voucher System
About
Attorney & Staff Resources
Community Resources
Public Defender Offices
Public Defender Services
>
Community Resources
>
Re-entry Checklist
Community Resources
Currently selected
Client Resources
Re-entry Checklist
Printables/Handouts
Legal Process FAQs
Re-entry Checklist
Page Content
(
PDF Version
)
Preparing for release from prison
Learn about the release process and make a release plan for:
Transportation from jail or prison
Taking your belongings with you
Clothing for your release
Keep a folder with all release paperwork and documents
Probation, Parole, and Supervised Release
Find out what type of supervision you are on and know your conditions of release and supervision
Report to supervision
Obtain contact information for your community supervision officer
Maintain contact with your community supervision officer
Refrain from using drugs and obey all laws
Maintain verifiable housing
Maintain verifiable employment
Report for scheduled office visits and drug testing
Important Tools for Successful Reentry
Get a library card
Get a public transportation card
For Kanawha County,
click here
Get a cell phone and phone number and set up your voicemail
Get a postal mailing address
Create an email address
Education
Workforce WV
and
Jobs and Hope
can connect you with resources in the following areas:
Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Workforce Development
High School Diploma, GED, NEPD
Trade Schools, Apprenticeships, and College
Appalachian Prison Book Project (APBP) - Education Scholarship Program
Transportation
Look for subsidies for public transportation
Use public transportation
Consider rideshare options
Legal Protections for People with Criminal Records
Make sure your criminal record is accurate
Seal/expunge your criminal record if you are eligible
Learn about your legal rights when seeking a job or applying for an occupational license
Know your legal rights when looking for housing
Family Connections and Legal Rights
Learn about child custody and visitation
Submit motion to modify your current custody agreement
Find out if you owe child support
Suspend or modify child support
File for divorce
Find support in getting out of unhealthy relationships
Public Benefits
Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSI/SSDI)
Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Apply for WV WORKS (West Virginia’s TANF)
Apply for the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC)
Resume Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
Healthcare
Learn about health insurance options
Medicaid
- income based, you may be able to sign up through the jail/DCR before release
Medicare
- If you are over 65 years of age or if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments
Accessing healthcare without insurance -
Community Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Find out how you will get any medications you’ve been receiving
Learn about cost differences between the Emergency Room and Urgent Care
Find support for healing from trauma
Find behavioral health support for mental health and/or substance use
Employment
Prepare for the job market - DCR has a partnership with
Workforce
and you may be able to access some of their resources before release
Collect necessary identification
Prepare a resume
Know your legal rights when it comes to employment
Learn about technology in the workplace and other important technical and soft skills
Consider an apprenticeship, job training program, higher education, or starting a business
Learn about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal Bonding
Housing
Identify housing options:
Connect with family and friends
Pre-release transfer to a halfway house or home confinement
Look into day programs and drop-in centers, shelters, transitional shelters, single room occupancy, or supportive housing
Public vs affordable vs private housing options
Learn about utility assistance and internet services (LIEAP)
Finances
Open a bank account
Check your credit score
Apply for a credit card
Find out what fines and fees you may still owe to the court (either through your supervision officer or by contacting the clerk of the court)
Voting and Civic Participation
Register to Vote
Guns, Sex Offender, and other Registries
Know your rights about gun ownership
If applicable, register for sex offender or child abuse registries
Identity Documents and Personal Records
Keep your photo ID and all release paperwork
Get a driver’s license or non-driver identification card
File a legal name change
Apply for a US passport
Request military discharge papers
Obtain arrest, court, and/or jail records
Request these records in person at the courthouse in the county that your charges were in. Records may expire after 7-10 years. There may be a fee to obtain these records.
Obtain education records from your time in prison
If possible, talk to the school/education department in the prison before you leave, or you can get in touch with them post-release.
Obtain social security card
Obtain birth certificate
Obtain medical records
HIPAA release form
(send to PsiMed for prison mental health records release OR send to Wexford Health at info@wexfordhealth.com for prison medical records release)
PrimeCare substance use disorder (SUD) patient records release form
(send to PrimeCare at recordsreq@primecaremedical.com for jail SUD records release)
PrimeCare medical release form
(send to PrimeCare at recordsreq@primecaremedical.com for jail medical records release)
There may be a fee involved in obtaining these records. At some facilities, you may be able to ask for a copy of these forms and submit them before your release.