SADO’s Project Reentry is dedicated to supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration back into society, offering resources and guidance on the reentry process. This new column aims to provide valuable knowledge and guidance from the Reentry team, highlighting the critical work they are doing to support individuals transitioning from incarceration back into society. We hope readers will gain insight into challenges faced by returning citizens and the strategies used to overcome them, fostering a more informed and supportive community.

The moment an individual enters prison should also be the moment they prepare to leave. In other words, reentry begins not at the freedom gate, but in the mind at the entrance gate. From day one, we encourage individuals to shift their thinking—seeing oneself not as an inmate, but as a future law-abiding, productive citizen. Shifting this thinking can allow incarceration to be a period of transformation. Imagine this time as time spent in a hospital—inside is an opportunity to heal, reflect, and repair what needs fixing. The goal is to walk out stronger, wiser, and ready to contribute positively to society.

Upon entering the MDOC, there will be programming recommended by the Reception and Guidance Center that is critical for consideration of parole. The MDOC mandates these programs with the intention of addressing an individual’s needs and preparing them for a seamless return to the community. Beyond that, individuals should proactively seek out self-help and personal growth programs—anything that challenges your mind, old patterns, and old behaviors to cultivate a better version of yourself. Whether it’s anger management, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, or educational and vocational training, every step you take toward self-improvement moves you closer to freedom—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

As you move closer towards your release, start rebuilding your relationships with family and friends. These are often your strongest and most reliable supporters when you return to society. Your loved ones can be vital resources for housing, employment leads, transportation, and basic necessities like clothing, hygiene items, and a cell phone. Family members are usually the first to offer a place to stay, help you get to your doctor’s appointments, or ensure you make it to your parole check-ins. Taking the time to reconnect with them builds a foundation of trust and stability—both of which are key to a successful reentry and a new beginning.

Another key component in reentry preparation is learning how to save money. Even though institutional jobs do not pay as much as we’d like, you should try to save whatever you can. If it doesn’t seem like much, remember that saving teaches you discipline, sacrifice, and long-term strategy. Even a few dollars here and there can make a difference when you step back into society. After serving 26 years, I understand that prison food can be hard to eat and that store items like chips, cookies, and cook-ups bring a sense of comfort. But remember—comfort is temporary, and freedom is forever. Nobody ever starved to death by converting to a state diet. If you can sacrifice now and save a little, that money will serve you much better in the long run. The practice of saving money will help you focus on your freedom and start your life with a small but meaningful foundation.

This message applies to everyone—whether you are serving one year or life. Over the past 13 years, Michigan has seen major changes in the law, affording resentencings to juveniles and late adolescents serving life and long indeterminate sentences. Furthermore, the parole board has granted paroles and commutations to both parolable lifers and natural lifers.

Never let prison become who you are, no matter what the sentence, because anything is possible. If you are ready, you don’t have to get ready. Always aspire to be free. I speak from experience—one day I was serving a life sentence, and the next, I was eligible for parole. Change is real, freedom is possible, and preparation is the key that unlocks both. 

Lorenzo Harrell is a Reentry Specialist with Project Reentry at the State Appellate Defender Office. Lorenzo was sentenced to life without parole for a crime he committed at age 17. As a result of his resentencing to a term-of-years, Lorenzo was released after 26 years in prison. Today, Lorenzo provides guidance, planning, and hands-on support to SADO clients preparing for release with the Project Reentry team. 

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