Sardis Reentry Resource Fair @ The Library

We're excited to announce that we will host 10 Reentry Resource Fairs at The Library across Northwest Mississippi between Monday, August 19, 2024 to Saturday, August 31, 2024, aimed at providing vital support to help you transition back into your community. 

Resource fairs for formerly incarcerated Mississippians are crucial in supporting their successful reentry into society. These fairs provide access to resources such as job training, educational opportunities, housing assistance, and mental health support that are essential for individuals transitioning back into their communities. 

By offering a centralized location for individuals to connect with a variety of services, resource fairs can help address the barriers that often prevent successful reentry.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, at least 84,000 people are booked into local jails in Mississippi each year, and approximately 127,062 men and 29,927 women are released from the state's prisons and jails annually. 

With an incarceration rate of 1,020 per 100,000 residents, Mississippi has the highest percentage of incarcerated individuals of any democratic country on earth. These staggering statistics underscore the importance of providing comprehensive reentry support to reduce recidivism rates.

The Resource Fairs will be held at libraries in Coldwater, Crenshaw, and Sardis, MS. These locations have been strategically selected to maximize accessibility and support those most in need.

According to the latest fact sheet from the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the state has 8,950 parolees and 25,420 probationers. The Mississippi Center for Reentry is committed to addressing the challenges faced by these individuals by connecting them with services that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Please note: The use of the library system for these events does not indicate endorsement by the library system.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to pre-register at www.msreentry.org to avoid waiting in line.

Participating community resources will vary by library location and date.

This event is specifically for formerly incarcerated indivdiuals living in Desoto, Tunica, Tate, Marshall, and Panola counties.