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Past incarcerated individuals need more assistance to transition back into their community
Past incarcerated individuals face many problems re-entering society; between fewer job opportunities and the ever-changing outside world, they face a greater separation from society.
Challenges facing re-entry into the workforce and community:
The “box rule”:
limits finding employment
Feelings of insecurity &
lack of acceptance
Lack of resources &
gap in re-entry information
Bridges to Freedom
Bridges to Freedom was designed and driven by my passion for creating platforms where individuals from different backgrounds can freely engage. I designed a re-entry plan on my own, collaborating with Unheard Voices Outreach to create a mobile platform to provide past incarcerated individuals with the necessary assistance for re-entry into society.
Team
Solo Project!
Project
Service Design
UX/UI Design
2023
My Collaboration Process
Meeting as Design Consultant
Understanding UVO
User Research with Past Incarcerated Individuals
IDEATION & Prototype
Outcome Platform
Research & Analysis
High Returns of Recidivism in the United States
The United States criminal justice system holds almost 2.3 million people in its custody each year, giving it the distinction of having the highest per capita incarceration rate in the world.
Nationally, each year an average of 626,000 individuals leave prison gates each year, but 10.6 million enter prison gates in the same time span.
Current Life After Incarceration
Inadequate Housing Options (Three-months housing)
Limited Employment Opportunities
Barriers to Social Services
Step to Individualism:
Factors of Independence:
Personal
Autonomy
Financial Independence
Legal
Independence
Cultural
Independence
Identify Past Incarcerated Individuals’ Hierarchy of Needs
To assist individuals on re-entry, I interviewed 5 past-incarcerated individuals on their challenges during re-entry and then identified the importance of past incarcerated individuals’ needs based on the need’s impact on their well-being and growth.
How might we make Maria's re-entry process easier by providing her with assistance and necessary resources?
Maria Rodrigo
Age
Released
Location
35 y/o
One month ago
Houston, TX
Skill
Landscaping & Gardening
Heritage
Mexican
Family
Single Mother
User Story
Maria was released from prison last month and is struggling to secure employment. She currently resides in government-provided housing but will need to find her new housing in two months. Maria doesn’t like her current neighborhood and would like to relocate eventually.
Design a Personal Plan for Maria with the Help of Re-entry Consultants
Attain Psychological Needs
Connect with consultant to create CV
Based on Maria’s skills, create a CV and provide job recommendations. Having a sustainable and suitable job makes her job more manageable and offer her finances to meet her physiological needs.
Secure Safety
Needs
Find a neighborhood that is a good fit
Offer Maria suitable housing based on her cultural background and housing preferences. Finding a familiar neighborhood can provide safety and security for Maria.
Fulfill Belonging
Needs
Match with meaningful community events
Placing Maria in meaningful community events to which she can contribute gives her a sense of belonging. Being in a like-minded community also increases her engagement and removes language barriers.
Achieve Self Actualization
Motivate and celebrate achievements
Maria is motivated to become an active and valued member of her community. Re-entry consultants can motivate and celebrate her achievements to help reach full potential and allow growth.
Interface Design
Attain Psychological Needs
Connecting Maria to Re-entry Consultants
By connecting Maria to a re-entry consultant, Maria will have a clear plan on her next steps
Mission: Provide Past Incarcerated Individuals with Necessary Recommendations to Re-entry
As a design consultant, I sought to collaborate with Unheard Voices Outreach, drawn to their mission of aiding the reintegration of previously incarcerated individuals in Tennessee to successfully transition back into the civic, economic, and technological community.
After user research and many rounds of iteration, I created a platform combined with Unheard Voices Outreach’s resources that provide past incarcerated individuals with:
Contact
Re-entry Consultant
Create Resume
Match Suitable Neighborhoods
Connect with
Community Events
Secure Safety Needs
Find Neighborhoods that Fit Maria’s Preferences and Background
Placing Maria in a neighborhood where she feels welcomed can create warmth and feelings of safety.
Create a Resume for Maria and Help Her Find a Suitable Job
In helping Maria create a resume and finding a sustainable job, Maria will achieve financial freedom and the first step to meeting her needs.
Reflection & Feedback from UVO
Presenting my design to the director and founder of UVO, he expressed his gratitude for this design that would assist them further in their mission to assist past incarcerated individuals with the help of technology. This experience helped me define my passion in the design field to create inclusive spaces that unite rather than divide.
Fulfill Belonging Needs & Achieve Self Actualization
Integrate Maria Back into Community Through Meaningful Events
Introducing Maria to events she can contribute to and impact gives her a sense of belonging and feelings of accomplishment when achievements are celebrated
