Starting Over Series

The Black Voice News and IE Voice are proud to present, “Starting Over” a four part series by award winning investigative reporter Breanna Reeves.  The series delves into the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter society, often after years of incarceration.

Reeves’ investigation reveals how, in far too many instances, our prison system fails to provide an adequate and necessary safety net of support for many formerly incarcerated individuals as they journey to community and attempt to restart their lives.

Her reporting spotlights how nonprofit organizations in the Inland Empire and elsewhere, like Starting Over, Inc. in partnership with other nonprofits, are bridging the gaps left open by government agencies in what should be a holistic approach to successful reentry not only as it relates to the formerly incarcerated’s ability to live productive lives but also to help mitigate recidivism.

Why should you care about this issue? According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Over 10,000 ex-prisoners are released from America’s state and federal prisons every week and arrive on the doorsteps of our nation’s communities.” The numbers alone are a testimony to the significant impact reentry and the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated  individuals in starting over poses for communities not only in the inland region but across the country.

We encourage you to engage with this series and let us know what other aspects of criminal justice or any other issue you would like us to explore.

Breanna joins Black Voice News as a Report for America corps member. Previously, Breanna reported on activism and social inequality in San Francisco and Los Angeles, her hometown. Breanna graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in Print & Online Journalism. She received her master’s degree in Politics and Communication from the London School of Economics. Contact Breanna with tips, comments or concerns at breanna@voicemediaventures.com or via twitter @_breereeves.

Thank you for your continued support.

S. E. Williams
Executive Editor
Black Voice News and IE Voice