Neumann students and faculty will have the chance to experience the challenges faced by individuals transitioning from incarceration into society during a re-entry simulation on March 8.

The goal of the simulation, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mirenda Center, is for participants to gain an understanding of the significant obstacles faced by men and women attempting to navigate the system upon their release from incarceration and return to their home communities.

Students and professors will walk through the simulation with employees of the Delaware County Department of Adult Probation and Parole, and officials of other government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

During the simulation, each participant receives a fictional identity and plays the part of an individual recently released from prison. To navigate a month in the life of that person, each participant interacts with various stations that represent steps to re-entry: getting a state identification, securing employment, attending mandatory counseling, applying for food stamps, or reporting to a parole officer.

Role players are also given specific weekly tasks that must be accomplished to avoid the risk of being sent back to prison for non-compliance with the requirements of a supervised release.

Volunteers staff the stations that represent different offices and agencies with which participants need to interact. Each table contains random elements to produce real-life uncertainty that mirrors the actual experience of dealing with these departments and organizations.

Each week in the month occurs in a 15-minute segment after which the participants engage in a guided discussion with event facilitators, who debrief them about their successes and failures.

“Through this brief look at what’s involved in starting over after jail or prison, participants experience the situations encountered by returning citizens, gain a fuller understanding of the obstacles people face as they rebuild their lives, and discover innovative ways to help these individuals succeed,” says Judi Stanaitis, assistant vice president for Neumann University’s Center for Leadership.

The event is free. Registration is required.

The re-entry simulation is sponsored by the Center for Leadership, the Delaware County Department of Adult Probation and Parole, the Delaware County Public Defender’s Office, Safe Corridors, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.