Goldring Reentry Initiative (GRI)
The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reported in 2010 that over 2 million Americans are incarcerated. The report also shows that 1 in 32 Americans are in some phase of the criminal justice system (parole, probation, or prison) during this period that some have aptly termed “Mass Incarceration. ”  Despite the large number of people affected by the criminal justice system, this has remained an invisible epidemic. Through the Goldring Reentry Initiative (GRI), students have the opportunity to work with one of the most vulnerable populations—those transitioning from prison. Students begin working with clients while incarcerated to plan for their release, and continue to support them as they transition back to their community. Students also work on a policy/advocacy level to challenge some of the systemic factors that perpetuate the cycle of incarceration.