‘Reentry Simulation’ teaches BSU students about life after incarceration

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) -The goal of the Restore Empower & Attain Connections with Hope (REACH) initiative is to help those re-entering society after incarceration. One way they achieve this is by educating people about return, using a traveling presentation.

That presentation came to Bluefield State University for the first time on Tuesday, with help from the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network.

“…We are addressing prevention in all areas, and that includes the returning population, so we just want to educate our students, make them aware and support everyone where we can, in whatever way we can,” said Megan Dobbs, a peer recovery support specialist for the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network.

But this potentially tough subject was presented to students in a fun, engaging way, with a simulated experience that brought the lessons to life. Each student here was given a new identity, to role-play as someone re-entering society after incarceration, learning to survive by getting IDs, work, and food, while dealing with unexpected complications and avoiding more prison sentences.

“It gives us a chance to see… how hard it is to be convicted and to come out and try to live a normal life, so I think it’s like showing how hard it is to just start a new life start over,” said Taliah, a student at Bluefield University.

However, the goal here goes beyond teaching facts about life after prison, but breaking down stigmas that contribute to “recidivism,” thus preventing someone from returning to society.

“It brings empathy, and it also teaches them that life is not easy; you are one decision away from changing your life. We’ve all made bad choices, but not everyone has been caught, so when you go through these things it makes you aware of the things you’re going to have to go through, and then it brings empathy of, ‘Okay, they’re not in able to navigate successfully because of all these things they have to go through,” said Chrisha Spears, administrative operations and reentry council coordinator for the REACH initiative.

Dobbs hopes this simulation will encourage Bluefield State University students to be more accepting of others, adding that support goes a long way.

If you would like more information about this simulation or would like to contact someone about possibly bringing it to your location, Spears says you can go to their website or email [email protected]

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