RETURN
Restoration and Empowerment Through United Reentry Network
RETURN
Restoration and Empowerment Through United Reentry Network
When individuals return from prison, their likelihood of contributing positively to their community relies on their ability to secure meaningful employment, find a place to live, and have the education and resources necessary to advance in life. A task increasingly challenging in Louisiana.
United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative aims to ensure that every individual released back into Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes will have a chance of securing a job that pays a livable wage, staying out of prison, and living longer, healthier lives. That translates into safer, healthier, and more vibrant communities for everyone.
State ranking for imprisonment rate
of individuals released from prison will return within one year
of formerly incarcerated individuals are still jobless up to a year after release
We’re on a mission to enhance public safety and reduce costs
by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed for each offender – delivered through state and local collaboration – from the time of their incarceration through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.
THREE-PHASE APPROACH
The successful execution of the model involves three phases through the life of a prisoner’s sentence:
Phase 1: Getting Ready
The Institutional Phase – Assessment & Prison Programming
Phase 2: Transitioning
The Transitional Phase – Release Preparation and Collaborative Case Planning
Phase 3: Staying Home
The Community Phase – Treatment & Supervision Plan
Reentry Success: Raymond’s Story
Raymond had just finished serving four years in prison when he entered United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative. With no family nearby, no home, and no identification, his future seemed uncertain.
The program provided housing, clothing, food, and access to essential items like an ID, a phone, and internet access. With those basics in place, Raymond was able to secure medical care, clear old legal issues, and begin working.
Over time, he advanced at his job, learned to manage his own rent and responsibilities, and successfully completed parole. Along the way, he also gained the tools to build healthier relationships and overcome setbacks.
Today, Raymond is thriving and rebuilding his life one step at a time, proof that stability and opportunity can transform even the toughest beginnings.
Reentry Success: Eric’s Story
After nearly two decades cycling in and out of jail, Eric wanted something different. But starting over wasn’t easy. He carried a long arrest record, unpaid child support, and mental health needs, all while trying to rebuild his life with little financial support.
Through United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s RETURN Initiative, Eric received access to the basic things he needs to get started, like a phone, clothing, SNAP benefits, and rental assistance. He was also connected to job skills training, legal help, and mental health care.
Step by step, Eric created stability. He secured a full-time job, earned a raise and promotion, and completed his parole term. Even when tested by challenges like Hurricane Ida, he leaned on his progress rather than slipping back into old habits.
Today, Eric is proud of his independence, motivated by his success, and determined to keep moving forward.
JEFFERSON PARISH
In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s RETURN operates as the regional reentry program in Jefferson Parish in conjunction with local officials.
In the fall of 2021, the RETURN (formerly know as LA-PRI) initiative in Jefferson Parish received a grant from the Department of Justice to engage in a comprehensive community reentry planning process. The process is undertaken to collaboratively create the Comprehensive Community Reentry Plan for Jefferson Parish.
“Case management is definitely what is done best. There’s a really good level of communication and collaboration among service providers, all with the goal of supporting clients.”
participants did not recidivate during their time enrolled in the initiative
services provided
participants
Jefferson Parish LA-PRI provided 3,657 services to 152 participants between March 1, 2024, and February 29, 2025.
The services most often provided to participants were direct assistance, case management, and collaboration of care.
RETURN IN JEFFERSON PARISH
Serves as a model and a framework to help improve public safety. Life can be difficult. It can always present you with certain circumstances that are challenging to navigate, so imagine if on top of that you have a record and you’ve been released from prison…
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Jefferson Parish Council
Jefferson Parish Community Action Programs
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
JEDCO
Catholic Charities of Archdiocese of New Orleans
Louisiana Public Health Institute
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center For Social Justice
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs/Bureau of Justice Assistance
REENTRY COALITION
Kewana Ceasor
Probation and Parole Reentry Program Manager – Jefferson Parish Probation and Parole
Victoria Coy
Jefferson Parish Community Coordinator
ST. TAMMANY PARISH
In Southeast Louisiana, United Way’s RETURN operates as the regional reentry program in St. Tammany Parish in conjunction with local officials. United Way and partners began serving St. Tammany Parish in 2021-2022.
of participants of clients who completed the program did not recidivate, the highest percentage since the initiative’s work in St. Tammany Parish
of participants secured permanent employment
participants
From December 2023 through November 2024, LA-PRI provided 1,792 services to 50 participants in St. Tammany Parish.
The services most often provided to participants were direct assistance, case management, and collaboration of care.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
NAMI St. Tammany
St. Tammany Probation and Parole
Tri-Parish Works
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services
Louisiana Public Health Institute
Loyola University New Orleans College of Law Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic and Center For Social Justice
REENTRY COALITION
Mike Phelps
St. Tammany Probation & Parole, Re-Entry Program Manager, Probation and Parole
Josh Holliday
St. Tammany Parish Community Coordinator
RETURN TEAM
Mary Ambrose
Intermediary Organization Representative and Chief Impact Officer
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Twanda Laurant-Lewis
Vice President of Social Justice Initiatives
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Cell: 225-938-0370
Tiara Konate`
Program Director
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Work: 504.827.6857
Cell: 504.327.7072
Your community needs you. Donate now.
OUR PROGRAMS
United Way offers a variety of options for people to support their community, whether through donations, advocacy, corporate partnerships, or joining one of our groups.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an early literacy initiative that provides new, age-appropriate books to....
Did you earn less than $63,398 last year? Our VITA program offers free tax help to individuals, families, persons with.....
Hospitality Cares is a crisis grant program offering emergency financial assistance to individuals working....
United Way’s IDA Project is a matched savings account program helping low-income individuals.....
More than 1.5 million school-age children across our nation face homelessness every year....
OUR VISION is to ensure all students in New Orleans read at grade level by the end of third grade...
United Way of Southeast Louisiana partners with Single Care (formerly Family Wize) to help community members...
The Prosperity Center is our one-stop financial stability center offering an array of programming to residents in....
When individuals return from prison, their likelihood of contributing positively to their community relies on their....
For over 18 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana has offered matching funds to help entrepreneurs multiply their savings....
United Way of Southeast Louisiana is continuing its mission to enhance the number and quality of summer services available to children and....
THREE-PHASE APPROACH
The successful execution of the LA-PRI model involves three phases through the life of a prisoner’s sentence:
Phase 1: Getting Ready
The Institutional Phase Assessment & Prison Programming
Phase 2: Transitioning
The Transitional Phase Release Preparation and Collaborative Case Planning
Phase 3: Staying Home
The Community Phase Treatment & Supervision Plan
A SUCCESS STORY
A Change of Heart: Mike’s Story
At the beginning of Mike Phelps’s 23-year law enforcement career, he saw the men and women in prison as people who deserved to be there. He saw them as the problem. Yet after seeing those he put in prison recidivate, he started to dig deeper into the issue and understand the barriers that send individuals back to prison time and again. Today, he sees things differently; “I look at the justice-involved as people with problems who need help, and I believe our job is to help those we can,” he says…..