In May 2026, the Convene team hosted a community conversation at the Travis County Correctional Center focused on reentry, housing stability, recovery support, and barriers individuals face when transitioning back into the community after incarceration. Participants shared lived experiences and perspectives on the challenges of release planning, accessing services, and rebuilding stability while navigating housing, transportation, employment, and recovery systems.

A major theme throughout the discussion was the abrupt and often destabilizing nature of reentry. Participants described release from custody as a sudden transition where individuals are expected to independently manage housing, transportation, appointments, employment, and recovery with very limited resources or support. Community members emphasized that homelessness and incarceration often feel deeply interconnected, creating cycles that are difficult to break without coordinated planning and support.

Housing was repeatedly identified as one of the biggest barriers to successful reentry. Participants shared that individuals are often placed on waitlists for housing or treatment programs prior to release, yet are still discharged directly to the streets while waiting for services to become available. Community members explained that once individuals are released without stable housing or coordinated support, it becomes significantly harder for providers, case managers, and organizations to maintain contact and continue providing assistance.

Participants also described how uncertainty around release dates, particularly for individuals navigating parole holds or blue warrants creates major barriers to planning ahead. Community members emphasized that without reliable timelines, it becomes extremely difficult to coordinate housing placements, transportation, treatment, employment, or family support prior to release.

Transportation emerged as another major challenge throughout the conversation. Participants repeatedly emphasized that having services available does not guarantee access if individuals have no realistic way to reach them after release. Community members discussed how transportation barriers can prevent people from connecting to treatment, recovery housing, medical care, or community organizations during one of the most vulnerable periods of reentry.

Suggestions for improvement included shuttle transportation directly to support organizations, increased in-jail outreach from community organizations prior to release, and more coordinated discharge planning that begins well before individuals leave custody.

Recovery support and peer connection were also identified as critical components of successful reentry. Participants expressed strong interest in expanding peer support services both inside the jail and within the broader community. Community members discussed the value of individuals with lived experience helping others navigate recovery, reentry, and access to services.

Several participants also emphasized the importance of creating pathways for incarcerated individuals to become certified peer support specialists themselves. Community members described this as both a recovery support opportunity and an employment pathway that could help individuals leave custody with skills, purpose, and community connection already established.

Throughout the conversation, participants expressed frustration with limited communication and coordination across systems. Several individuals reported going months without communication from court-appointed attorneys and described repeated court resets, lack of clarity around legal processes, and difficulty obtaining information while incarcerated.

Participants also discussed how successful reentry often depends on preparation completed before release, yet many individuals have limited ability to coordinate housing, treatment, transportation, or support services in advance. Some community members even shared that they would have preferred remaining in custody slightly longer if it meant leaving with a coordinated release plan, stable housing, or confirmed treatment placement already arranged.

Employment support emerged as another major area of need. Participants emphasized the importance of immediate job opportunities, day labor programs, and practical employment pathways for individuals leaving custody without transportation, stable income, or financial resources. Community members discussed the need for systems that help individuals regain stability gradually rather than expecting immediate independence upon release.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the belief that communities often invest heavily in services after individuals are released while overlooking opportunities to provide support earlier, during incarceration itself. Participants expressed that community organizations could have greater impact if they established stronger relationships and programming within jail settings before release occurs.

Overall, the conversation reinforced the importance of coordinated, human-centered reentry systems that prioritize stability, preparation, transportation, housing, recovery support, and community connection before individuals leave custody. Participants emphasized that successful reentry requires more than referrals alone. Reentry requires systems that are realistic, accessible, compassionate, and rooted in long-term support.

Key Takeaways

• Participants described reentry as an abrupt and destabilizing transition with limited preparation, resources, or coordinated support.
• Housing instability and discharge directly to the streets were identified as major barriers to successful recovery and reintegration.
• Transportation barriers continue to prevent many individuals from accessing treatment, housing, and support services after release.
• Community members emphasized the importance of coordinated discharge planning that begins prior to release.
• Peer support and lived experience were identified as valuable components of recovery and reentry support.
• Participants highlighted the need for stronger jail-based programming, employment pathways, and community organization involvement before individuals return to the community.
• Uncertainty around release dates, parole holds, and blue warrants were described as major obstacles to planning and stability.