LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky says more than 100,000 people are released from Kentucky’s prisons and jails every year. 

What You Need To Know

  • Over 100,000 people are released from Kentucky jails and prisons annually

  • The Health Resources and Services Administration announced $5 million in federal funding for six Kentucky health centers 

  • The centers will help formerly incarcerated individuals get the assistance needed after their release

  • The HRSA is giving $51 million to several dozen health centers across the country to do similar work

It’s often hard to transition back into society. The ACLU says there are a good deal of re-entry barriers, including the need for food, shelter, water, clothing, a job and identification.

“When you’re released from prison, and depending on how long you’ve been in there, you don’t have money to buy ID. You don’t have a birth certificate, social security card to prove you are who you are to get an ID or an address to put on the ID,” said Selena Coomer, an ACLU of Kentucky Smart Justice advocate consultant.

Coomer works directly with affected people. They meet monthly and share stories.

“…and we learn how to share our stories with the legislators in Frankfort who make the laws and policies,” she explained.

At the Federal level, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced $5 million in federal funding for six health centers in the state. The money will increase access to high-quality health care and re-entry services for people in the months before they leave incarceration.

One center in each in Corbin, Vanceburg, Mount Sterling and Burkesville will get $1 million. Another center in Prestonsburg and one in Hazard will each get $500,000.

“I think the government awarding Kentucky millions of dollars to help with re-entry care is absolutely amazing, but it’s only a start. But it’s a grateful start. We will start well with,” Coomer said.

The official announcement said health centers that get the grant awards will focus on reducing drug overdose risk, managing chronic conditions, address mental health and substance use disorders and preventing, diagnosing and treating infectious diseases.

“You can’t thrive in life if you are stuck in a chronic condition. Pain and also overdose rates are higher once people resume to normal life outside the walls,” Coomer said.

As Federal and state agencies work to help people successfully get back into society.

The HRSA is awarding $51 million to 54 different health centers across the country to do similar work.

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