Simulation demonstrates difficulties of return to society after release from jail

Registration filled up quickly for Wednesday night’s re-entry simulation that demonstrated the difficulties faced by people following their release from incarceration.

The event, sponsored by the Prison Studies Certificate in the Department of Sociology and Criminology, the School of Law, the School of Social Work and Peaceprints of WNY, attracted a diverse group of participants. Some were students; others came from the community. There were a few faculty members as well. 

They took part for different reasons, but everyone reached the same conclusion before the simulation had even ended, a point that materialized when moderator Darryl Epps Jr., deputy director of SUNY’s Office for Higher Education in Prison, asked how many people who filled room 25 in O’Brian Hall thought they could avoid returning to prison.

No one raised a hand.

Everyone assumed they were going back to jail for failing to meet the requirements of their release. In fact, most of the participants were already in jail after just two weeks of the simulation.

Each simulation participant received an “identity” and a random assortment of resources, like cash, bus tickets or one form of ID. For the purposes of the simulation, one week was compressed into 15 minutes, and over the course of a “month,” those participants had to accomplish what’s often required of people leaving prison: check in with the appropriate law enforcement agency, obtain food, have a toxicology test, find a place to live and pay rent, and obtain three forms of identification.

It's nearly impossible, an inherent reality of a poorly designed system that can discourage the dedicated reintegration efforts.

“This simulation gives people a snapshot just how difficult it is for someone returning to society following incarceration, especially during that critical first month when they’re trying to navigate a system that presents one obstacle after another,” said Epps. “If you don’t meet these requirements, then you go back to jail, and unless you’ve gone through it, there are few people who realize just how hard it can be.”

That was the eye-opening theme of the night. Personal responsibility was overwhelmed by repeated obstacles.

“How many people have eaten?” asked Epps, referring to a simulation requirement.

Not many, it turned out.

When he asked why, people said they didn’t have money, or transportation. They were trying to accomplish other tasks, and eating was not a priority.

“How many people felt frustrated or confused?” Epps asked.

Everyone raised a hand.

“What struck me most was how quickly participants realized how difficult re-entry can be,” said Mary Nell Trautner, associate professor of sociology and criminology, and director of the UB College in Prison Program. “Even with the best intentions, just one small setback — a missed appointment, lack of transportation, or a denied job application — can send someone into a spiral of obstacles.

“This simulation helped people see that re-entry isn’t just about personal choices; it’s about systemic barriers that we, as a society, have the power to change.”

But Trautner, the event’s organizer, said the simulation wasn’t just about raising awareness.

“It was about fostering empathy and action,” she said. “We wanted participants to feel, even for a short time, the overwhelming challenges that people face after incarceration.

“Our hope is that this experience sparks deeper conversations and a commitment to meaningful change.”

The glimpse of the re-entry experience provided by the simulation became clearer when highlighted by testimonials from panelists, like Tahir Issac, who were formally incarcerated.

“I had been to jail a couple of times, and didn’t have assistance at first, but I later heard about Peaceprints,” said Issac, who today is a Peaceprints WNY employee. “They helped me and didn’t treat me like a criminal.”

Programs like that offered by Peaceprints and others like Project Blue are profoundly effective.

People who have support from one of these organizations have a recidivism rate of less than 5%. In Erie County, 80% of people without such assistance are likely to be reincarcerated within three years of their earlier release.

Creating that kind of awareness is critical, according to Trautner.

“We hope this event encourages people to think about the policies and practices that shape re-entry,” she said. “Whether it’s supporting system-impacted students, advocating for fair hiring practices, or re-thinking the role of higher education in prison.

“There are many ways to get involved.”