Returning to New York City After Incarceration
(Separate Website)
Information about how to obtain public housing and employment after being released from prison.
By: MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Consequences of Criminal Charges: A People's Guide This manual provides basic information about some of the many consequences of criminal charges,
arrest, and incarceration in New York State. You will find information and materials geared towards helping you understand these consequences and strategies for preventing or overcoming them. Subtopics covered include: Encounters With the Police, Civic Participation (including voting rights and jury service), Employment, Family, Public Benefits, Student Loans, Financial Impact, Housing, Immigration, Criminal Records, and Certificates of Rehabilitation.
By: Bronx Defenders and Reentry.net/NY
Collateral Consequences Calculator
(Separate Website)
A calculator designed as an aid to legal research for judges, attorneys and legal academics. It can provide a preliminary overview of the collateral consequences associated with sections of the New York State Penal Law, and can be used as a way of seeing the big picture and beginning the process of determining the varied consequences of criminal charges.
By: Columbia Law School
Women's Prison Association Housing Manual
(Separate Website)
The Women's Prison Association Housing Manual is a hands-on guide for service providers and individuals returning home from prison and jail who are navigating the housing process.
By: Women's Prison Association
Are You Somebody With a Criminal Record, HIV/AIDS or an Alcohol or Drug History? Prevent Discrimination Before It Happens
(Separate Website)
This booklet is for New Yorkers with HIV or AIDS, a drug or alcohol problem and/or a criminal record who want to know their rights to be free of discrimination. It explains: laws that forbid discrimination; limits on what employers, landlords, and others may ask; how to get a job or housing despite the stigma associated with HIV, addiction, and having a criminal record; and what to do when confronted with illegal discrimination.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
Reentry Readiness Manual
(Separate Website)
This manual ask ten questions that help determine if an individual is adequately prepared for a successful community reentry and provides guidance on how to be better prepared.
By: Center for Behavioral Services and Criminal Justice Research at Rutgers University
Housing Laws Affecting Individuals with Criminal Convictions
(Separate Website)
Explains federal public housing laws and the admission and eviction policies for people with criminal histories.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
How to Get Section 8 or Public Housing Even With a Criminal Record
(Separate Website)
This manual tells people in New York City how they can get into Section 8 and public housing even if they or someone in their household has a criminal record or is in recovery from a drug problem. The manual is designed for applicants and their advocates. It contains the New York City Housing Authority admissions policies for people with criminal records and recent illegal drug use, and step-by-step suggestions for how people can gather the evidence of rehabilitation necessary to gain housing. It also includes sample letters of reference ? the type people really need to convince housing authorities of their rehabilitation. Though the manual focuses on New York City Housing Authority policies, its chapter on How Can You Win Your Hearing? can help people applying to other local housing authorities gather their best evidence of rehabilitation. Includes phone numbers of agencies who assist people facing difficulty being approved for NYCHA housing.
By: Legal Action Center of the City of New York, Inc. (LAC)
How do I Keep My NYCHA Apartment?
(Separate Website)
Information on the steps that you can take to avoid being evicted from your Housing Authority home because of the misconduct of someone who lives with you.
By: MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Services and support available to former inmates and their families
Coming home: A Family's Guide to Reunification (Separate Website)
If your family member will soon be released from prison the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the Division of Parole developed a checklist of items that are important for you to review prior to the time that your family member returns home.
By: NYS Division of Parole
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Connections 2012 and the Job Search
(Separate Website)
This guide is for formerly incarcerated people to learn the various steps involved in hunting for work. It discusses job interviewing and resume writing, preparation in prison, avoiding job discrimination as a formerly incarcerated individual, and telling the truth about your conviction(s) on a job application. It also lists many helpful organizations that can help with all kinds of problems.
By: The New York Public Library
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Bronx Reentry & Resource Directory for Returning Residents and Families A comprehensive guide to reentry and related services in the Bronx. The directory is divided into several categories, including the following services: administrative and comprehensive, clothing, educational, employment, family, food pantry, health and wellness, housing, legal, mental health, substance abuse, and support groups.
By: The Bronx Reentry Working Group
I do not speak English, what is my right to receive information in my language?
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
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