Us & Them Encore: Re-Entry

About this episode

This encore episode explores the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals as they re-enter society and the effectiveness of support programs.

For this encore episode of Us & Them , host Trey Kay hears about the challenges to America’s incarcerated population as they re-enter society. At least 95% of all state prisoners are released after serving their sentence, more than 600,000 people each year. The re-entry process requires essential tasks; accessing identification materials, birth certificates and sometimes social security materials. How well do programs designed to help formerly incarcerated people succeed? Some people suggest recognizing past traumas may be a powerful step to help people make a new life after they serve their time. This encore episode of Us & Them received a best documentary award from the Public Media Journalists Association in 2023 and was acknowledged with a public service through journalism award from Virginia’s AP broadcasters.

People in this episode

Host: Trey Kay

Topics covered

• re-entry
• incarceration
• society
• trauma

Keywords

• re-entry process
• identification materials
• social security
• trauma recognition

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Us & Them

Places: America, Virginia

More episodes of Us & Them

• Us & Them: The Good, The Bad, And The American Revolution · April 23, 2026 · 52 min
• Us & Them Encore: Housing Options Are Few & Far Between In Appalachia · April 9, 2026 · 40 min
• Us & Them Encore: Substance Use Disorder — Can You Recover Without A Place To Call Home? · March 26, 2026 · 52 min
• Us & Them Encore: Diminishing OB Care In Rural America · March 12, 2026 · 33 min
• Us & Them Encore: The Stigma of Sobriety · February 26, 2026 · 53 min
• Us & Them Encore: A Band On The Right Side Of History · February 12, 2026 · 35 min