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One of the biggest barriers to successful reentry isn’t the lack of jobs, housing, or resources—it’s the stigma that follows justice-involved individuals. That stigma can make even the smallest steps forward feel like an uphill battle. I’ve witnessed it in the lives of countless others. Society often reduces people like us to our worst mistakes, ignoring the growth, redemption, and potential that comes after those moments.

Breaking that stigma is not only possible but necessary. It begins with how we talk about justice-involved individuals. For so long, labels like “felon,” “ex-convict,” or “offender” have been used to define them. These words strip away humanity and reduce a person’s identity to one aspect of their past. But people are not their mistakes. They are individuals with hopes, dreams, and the capacity to change. Using person-first language, such as “justice-involved individual” or “person with a conviction,” is a powerful first step toward changing the narrative.

The stigma impacts people in profound ways. For many, it creates roadblocks to employment, housing, and even community acceptance. Employers often hesitate to hire someone with a record, overlooking their qualifications, dedication, and the value they bring to the workplace. This rejection can lead to a cycle of frustration and despair, making it even harder for individuals to reintegrate into society.

It also affects families and communities. The stigma can make it difficult for justice-involved individuals to rebuild relationships with loved ones, leading to isolation and disconnection. Children of justice-involved parents may face judgment from their peers, and families often carry the weight of societal bias. The shame and misunderstanding surrounding incarceration don’t just impact individuals—they ripple out to everyone connected to them.

Communities miss out when they fail to embrace justice-involved individuals. These are people with untapped potential, ready to contribute if given the chance. Reduced recidivism, stronger families, and safer neighborhoods are just some of the benefits that come from supporting reintegration and breaking the stigma.

It’s not just individuals who need to shift their mindset; employers, community leaders, and policymakers also play a critical role. Employers, for instance, often overlook justice-involved individuals despite the benefits of second-chance hiring. Research shows that people with a criminal record are often more loyal, hardworking, and committed to their jobs because they know the value of the opportunity. Programs like Persevere are helping bridge this gap by providing justice-involved individuals with training and connecting them with employers willing to give them a chance.

Breaking the stigma isn’t easy. It requires courage from justice-involved individuals to share their stories, and it demands compassion from society to listen without judgment. It’s about shifting the focus from punishment to potential, from labels to lives.

For those of us who have lived this experience, breaking the stigma is a daily act of resilience. It’s showing up, proving people wrong, and paving the way for others to follow. It’s about reminding the world—and sometimes ourselves—that we are not defined by our past but by the choices we make today and the future we’re building tomorrow.

The stigma doesn’t have to last forever. It can be dismantled one conversation, one opportunity, and one success story at a time. By changing perceptions, we’re not just opening doors for justice-involved individuals—we’re opening hearts and minds, creating a society that sees people for who they truly are: human beings capable of change, growth, and incredible things.