What We Do

The Ride Home Program was founded to address a critical gap in the network of prisoner reentry services.

Our program began in 2013 in partnership with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition to provide reentry support to nonviolent inmates sentenced to life under California’s “Three Strikes” sentencing law and released under reforms to California’s recidivist sentencing law.

When prisoners are released from custody, they frequently have no financial resources and few friends or family able to provide immediate support that’s needed for successful community reentry. Starting right at the prison gates, we offer released inmates immediate, intensive support from experienced reentry counselors, all of whom are themselves formally incarcerated.

We offer free and safe transportation to a pre-approved residential reentry center that provides ongoing housing, employment, and sobriety support. We also provide immediate counseling and services, including purchasing new clothing, toiletries, and other basic essentials, and maintain contact with released prisoners during their reentry process. We are actively involved in prisoners’ lives once they are released from custody, helping provide services and programs that assist the process of returning home and reentering communities.

SUPPORT THE RIDE HOME PROGRAM

JOIN US

  • The first days and hours of a prisoner’s release are critical to success. Recidivism is most likely during this time and a released prisoner’s health and safety are most vulnerable.
  • During the first week of release, the mortality rate of released prisoners is more than twelve times higher than average. The number one cause of death is drug overdose.
  • We have safely transported hundreds of inmates freed from prison to pre-approved reentry programs in over 35 states.
  • In 2015, the Obama Administration requested Ride Home to extend our services to prisoners who receive executive clemency from the president.
  • In 2016, Ride Home drivers were honored as “Champions of Change” by the Obama White House.
  • The Ride Home Program is headquartered at the Stanford Law School Justice Advocacy Project and supported entirely by contributions from private individuals and foundations.