Posts by David King

Key Takeaways Incarceration for drug-related charges costs Texas taxpayers over $52 million per year. The state of Texas provides a variety of treatment programs intended to reduce recidivism, including S.A.F.P.F. Participants struggle to complete these programs for a variety of practical and logistical reasons. Caring support from The Way Back helps participants successfully graduate and…

Watch Kelly’s Story Kelly was incarcerated in April of 2020 and served about two years before being released. Once out of prison, life held many obstacles and challenges for her. Kelly had experienced substance abuse, living in a tent city, and the loss of her family relationships and career. She had been a professional chef…

“….anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” —Misty Copeland   Everyone needs a support system, regardless of what they are facing in life. Some of us are blessed to have good friends and mentors that we can depend on, while others struggle with a lack of support. For formerly…

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”—Theodore Roosevelt   The pride and dignity that come from an honest day’s work is something people of all economic levels can relate to. But for those individuals who were formerly incarcerated, getting a good…

When a person goes to prison, he or she isn’t the only person whose life is profoundly changed by the experience. Incarceration has a ripple effect beyond the individual, on his or her family—and community.   According to the National Institute of Justice, family members of incarcerated individuals are often referred to as “hidden victims”—victims…

Anything worth doing is hard, but for individuals attempting to reenter society after incarceration, doing worthwhile things can be even harder. Barriers to healthcare, restrictions on housing and employment options, and a lack of education and support among the community are just a few of the obstacles faced by men and women coming out of…

The desire to build a better future may be nearly universal, but a new life takes time and resources to build, especially when you are reentering society after incarceration. Without proper support, many individuals struggle with recidivism.   Recidivism—the tendency to repeat an offense or relapse into criminal behavior—is sadly common among formerly incarcerated men…

Mental Health Month is a prime opportunity to create awareness of the hard realities faced by those walking the path to reentry who also face mental health challenges, as well as to highlight the resources, solutions, and organizations that are working together to bring hope and healing.   May has been recognized as Mental Health…

Incarceration doesn’t define a life—but a second chance can. April 2023 is officially “Second Chance Month,” observed since April 2017 as a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. During Second Chance Month, hundreds of organizations, churches, and businesses raise awareness and provide redemptive support for millions of formerly…

The Way Back For 48 years, The Way Back has worked to reduce recidivism and stop the cycle of generational incarceration and poverty.   This grant from the Aventiv Technologies Community Impact Fund will ensure that The Way Back can continue with our vital work as we support and advocate for second chances. Individuals returning…