CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A new re-entry center opened Thursday next to the Camden County Correctional Facility to help ease the transition for people who don’t know what’s next after being released from jail. The first steps are often the hardest and the first 24 hours can lead to overdoses or parole violations.
Sharon Bean, jail population manager at Camden County, said the new facility will be a first stop for many during their transitions back into society.
“To sit down, breathe, think about what’s next,” said Bean. “The overwhelming majority of our population don’t know they’re getting released on that day, which means their family doesn’t know they’re getting released that day.”
Prince Alvarado said some people getting out don’t have family or any support system to rely on.
“A lot of times, individuals have destroyed their connections back to the family, connections to friends. No one trusts them,” he said.
The new facility provides counselors for individuals just getting out, computers and showers, among other amenities. The services it will provide include helping people find transitional housing, employment, proper identification, and more.