Behind the Walls.
Since the inception of Exodus, individuals behind bars have always been the driving motivation and influence for the work that we do, and they continue to be the beating heart of our mission. Their resilience, insight, and commitment to both individual and community-level transformation laid the foundation for Exodus, and their voices continue to shape our programs, priorities, and purpose. Whether inside correctional facilities or returning home to rebuild their lives, these men are not only participants in our work—they are its architects, its leaders, and its enduring inspiration.
What we do.
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For years, Exodus volunteers have returned behind the walls to provide essential reentry guidance, support, and encouragement. This year, we deepened our approach by holding trauma-centered healing circles with the men inside—unpacking the layered impacts of childhood trauma, carceral trauma, and post-incarceration trauma, while examining how lived experiences shape our minds, bodies, spirits, behaviors, decisions, and relationships.
WHY OUR APPROACH IS UNIQUE:
What makes Exodus' approach truly unique is our intentional integration of licensed clinical expertise with the lived experience of those who have themselves sat in these very seats. Our teams are always comprised of individuals who have walked the path from incarceration to transformation—men who now return not just as facilitators, but as living proof of what’s possible. The men inside see themselves reflected in our staff, and that connection creates powerful conditions for healing, trust, and growth. Through trauma-informed practices and the support of our Center for Trauma Innovation, these men are not only transforming their own lives—they are helping to create safer, more compassionate environments both within the facility and in the communities they will one day return to. They are acquiring the tools necessary not only to come home, but to stay home.
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BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PRE-RELEASE AND POST-RELEASE:
Equally critical is the bridge that Exodus builds between pre-release and post-release services. The continuity of care we provide ensures that the men we walk alongside inside prison walls are met with the same trusted support team once they return home. This seamless connection eliminates the all-too-common gap in services and allows participants to continue their healing journeys without interruption—laying the foundation for long-term stability, accountability, and success.
Why it matters.
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Meet Joey
Joey, pictured left, is the perfect exemplification of why seamless pre-release and post-release services are essential. Joey was an active participant of our trauma-focused reentry programming while incarcerated -- immersing himself in the healing process and embracing the tools necessary for his transformation.
Upon release, Joey transitioned directly into our community-based programming, completing every phase of our post-release services and continuing to build on the foundation he laid behind the walls. As a final step in his journey, Joey made it his mission to give back by becoming a member of the Exodus team—and he’s been with us ever since, bringing both compassion and credibility to the work. He often credits his success to the support of his brothers inside, the Exodus family, and the opportunity to begin healing before coming home.
Joey is living proof of what’s possible when people are met with dignity, consistency, and opportunity—on both sides of the wall. Today, Joey is the first face you see when walking into our Article 31 Mental Health Clinic— greeting everyone with the warmth he wishes he’d received throughout his lifetime.