Georgia’s incarceration rate is higher than the national average, with nearly 900 out of every 100,000 residents having spent time behind bars, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
For many, the struggle doesn’t end at release—rebuilding a life on the outside can be overwhelming. Formerly incarcerated individuals and advocates say the path to reintegration is often filled with stigma and barriers.
Finding purpose after prison
Janine Battista of Snellville knows those challenges firsthand. She’s opening up about her own journey, hoping her experience can help foster greater understanding and acceptance for people with criminal records.
“Going to prison interrupted everything in my life,” Battista reflects. “I might have been a little lost at the time, but I’m not that person anymore.”…