CELINA-A Reentry Simulation event is being hosted by various agencies here at the Clay County Fairgrounds next month to not only help the recently incarcerated, but also the general public.

“Everyone who deals with the public would benefit from it,” local chamber of commerce officials said on social media.

The event is being made possible through a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Tennessee Office of Reentry, and the American Job Center of Tennessee.

The goal of the simulation is for participants to gain an understanding of the significant obstacles faced by men and women attempting to navigate the system upon their release from incarceration and returning home to their communities.

“To walk in the shoes of one who is returning home gives invaluable insight for professionals who are tasked with helping those individuals achieve a successful reentry,” organizers said.

Over the course of the simulation participants experience post-release life.

Each participant assumes the identity of an ex-offender and receives a packet of materials, including a “Life Card.”

The “Life Card” explains the reentrant’s criminal background, current living situation, current job situation, and the specific weekly tasks that must be accomplished in order to avoid the risk of being sent back to prison for non-compliance with the requirements of his or her supervised release.

The simulation begins with an explanation and instructions from the facilitator and the reentrants then set out to try and navigate their new lives.

The room is set up with approximately 15 stations. Each of these tables represent the many places a returning citizen must navigate when they are first released.

Each table has random elements which produce real life uncertainty when dealing with each of these agencies and organizations.

Some of these stations include DMV, Probation, Court, GED, Bank, Employer, Social Services, Church, Landlord/Rent, Transportation, Treatment, etc.

Additionally, there are “monitors” and “officers” who check “Life Cards” to aid Probation Officers in assessing each reentrant’s level of compliance. They also identify those who may need increased levels of supervision.

“Successful reentry back into society is something which is difficult,” organizers said.  “It is a complex and unpredictable process.

“Since each person has different individual needs, resources, and histories, we find that each person’s life path is different.”

Successful reentry is not something that happens automatically upon release from prison, but is something which has a greater chance of occurring if planned for accordingly.

“This simulation gives us visibility into the perspectives of the returning citizens who we are tasked to help,” organizers said.  “Our aim is to represent a realistic landscape of what these individuals face when coming home.

“By experiencing these complex obstacles and barriers that these individuals must navigate, we not only gain visibility into the individuals perspectives but also discover innovative ways to help these individuals succeed. We would love to have you!”

For more information about the event or to sign up, contact the Clay County Chamber of Commerce or see the event flier on their Facebook page.