PROGRAMS

The female prison population in the United States has grown by over 800 percent in the last 30 years. Despite this staggering growth, violent criminals are not being sent to prison in droves. Instead, nearly two-thirds of female prisoners are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses. Due to mandatory minimums, many women are given sentences that do not fit their crime — and the result is tragic. Because of the growth in female incarcerations, the demographics of the female offender has changed drastically. Women returning to communities from a period of incarceration, have significant and diverse needs that range from securing safe and affordable housing to identifying viable employment and business opportunities, including entrepreneurship. This factor is even more contemporaneous, when she must be paroled to a community in which she has absolutely no resources of a family connections for whatever reasons. And some women in transition have lost all ties with those in the community during their period of incarceration, and require a carefully coordinated bridge from facility to community, in order to successfully reintegrate into society. Recognizing that these women are typically presented with special needs, there are no agencies established in the Chicago area that addresses this unique population, thus leaving a huge gap in program offerings for this type of female in transition. And that is where we come in. Hardin House wants to advance the human rights and respond to the human needs of this unique population—particularly the formerly incarcerated, the isolated, and the displaced female in transition—through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services. Our goal is to make certain recidivism is completely eliminated, and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a state of freedom from anxiety and emotional disturbances are offered and sustainable. We are here to provide temporary housing during your first few months. Our partners offers most, if not all of the programs required for you to satisfy parole stipulations, including electronic monitoring.