Anti-Recidivism Coalition

ARC’s holistic and innovative service model is grounded in formerly incarcerated leadership and member participation at all levels. By using a trauma-informed and peer-based mentorship model, we are able to serve formerly incarcerated people, as well as those still inside, in a unique and powerful way. We combine pre-release programming with reentry services to support members at every stage of their journey: from incarceration, to release, to reentry, to becoming leaders and advocates for policy change.

ARC has three programmatic focus areas:

1) Criminal Justice Reform / Education & Policy Advocacy: Since 2013, ARC has co-sponsored and legislative bills and one proposition that have since become California laws, affecting tens of thousands of system-impacted people and their families. We engage our policy staff and formerly incarcerated members to push for system-level change through policy advocacy training workshops.
2) Inside Programs: ARC’s Hope and Redemption Team, established in 2017, is a group of eight formerly incarcerated lifers who go back into seven California institutions to prepare individuals for successful reentry, including weekly rehabilitation programming, mental health groups, and Board Parole Hearing preparation workshops. ARC's Hope and Redemption Team has reached more than 5100 incarcerated individuals in this program.
3) Reentry Services: Stable housing, employment, and trauma-informed social services are all key factors in reducing recidivism. ARC provides transitional housing for members at our Magnolia housing project in Los Angeles, CA and our Lorena housing project in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, bringing our total to 65 individuals and families that have a safe place to live as they transition from incarceration back into society. Our workforce development programs are focused on providing not only income, but stable, long-term, and fulfilling careers for our members through Career Readiness Workshops, Second-Chance Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in construction and coding, and firefighter cadet training for parolees at the Ventura Training Center. Finally, our team of clinical social workers, therapists, and system-impacted Life Coaches are available to guide our members through the unique challenges and struggles of life after incarceration through counseling and mental health services, peer-to-peer mentorship, and a lasting support network.

Today, ARC provides reentry services for over 1,600 formerly incarcerated members across California. The majority of ARC members live in and around Los Angeles County, where the organization was founded. In 2016, ARC opened a second office in Sacramento County, where we serve over 300 members. We have also expanded our reach to include chapters in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. With the inclusion of our inside programming within 12 carceral facilities throughout California, we are in contact with nearly 10,000 currently incarcerated people who will be eligible for membership upon release.

ARC was founded in 2013 as a peer support network for formerly incarcerated individuals, serving less than 25 members. After eight years of operation, ARC has grown to encompass an array of programs and services that support and provide opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals and those still inside. In this short time, we grew from a $300,000 organization to one with an operating budget of over $7 million. We now have 75 staff members, 70% of which are system-impacted. Today, ARC serves over 1,600 formerly incarcerated members across California. The majority of ARC members live in Los Angeles County, where the organization was founded. In September 2016, ARC opened a second office in Sacramento County, where it serves more than 300 members. Over the past three years, ARC has also expanded its reach to include members in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, as well as Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. The success of ARC’s model is evidenced by the remarkably low recidivism rate of members—less than 10% compared to the statewide rate of 50%.