Reentry Programs
Reentry and second chance programs help the formerly incarcerated successfully transition back into society through education, workforce training, and supportive partnerships. The programs reduce recidivism while strengthening families and the regional workforce by addressing employment barriers before and after release.
Pathways to Stability & Opportunity
Reentry programs in Kansas City focus on creating clear, supportive pathways from incarceration to meaningful employment and long‑term stability.
The Returning Citizens Career Campus at Lansing Correctional Facility and other reentry programs around the Kansas City metropolitan area—including The Second Chance Risk Reduction Center and Missouri Department of Corrections Office of Reentry Services—are founded on the belief that access to education, employment support, and cognitive behavioral intervention are essential to creating safer communities.
By connecting public agencies, employers, and community organizations, KC Common Good and partner agencies reduce the barriers individuals often face upon release. Participants in reentry programs gain stackable credentials in high-demand industries that make them ready to join the workforce when they are released as well as direct connections to employers committed to second-chance hirings.
Ultimately, these programs support incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals during a critical transition period—while also addressing workforce shortages across the region.
Lansing Career Campus
The Lansing Career Campus is a public‑private partnership housed within the Lansing Correctional Facility. Each year, it prepares more than 300 incarcerated individuals to successfully reenter society through a multi-phase process that includes access to post-secondary education, industry certifications, and skills trainings for high-demand careers. By equipping participants with stackable credentials and employment pathways before release, the program reduces recidivism while building a skilled, ready workforce that supports the Kansas City region’s economy.
KC Common Good supports the initiative through partner coordination, best‑practice guidance, and community engagement to ensure long‑term impact.
Supporting the Whole Community
Explore KC Common Good’s blog for stories, insights, and resources to learn more about organizations across the region supporting reentry and second‑chance programs.
“99% of Missourians who are in the justice system will reenter. These people are family members, CEOs, homeless people, addicts and everything between. Supporting this population is essential for community building and violence reduction.”
Brittany Peterson, Reentry Partner