New Home Opens for Formerly Incarcerated Women in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — A new Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality (SAFE) residence, named Turning Point, has been established in Los Angeles County to accommodate up to four women who are reintegrating into the community after serving their time.

Michelle Perkins, the executive director of Turning Point, stated, “Women exiting prison face heightened vulnerability upon returning to their communities. This new residence is designed to support them as they leave prison by providing essential resources, tools, and a supportive environment to facilitate their reintegration into society.”

Turning Point aims to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals access necessary resources to reestablish themselves in society, providing a secure space for healing, education, and preparation for their next steps, all while working to reduce recidivism.

The SAFE Home at Turning Point is affiliated with A New Way of Life’s SAFE Housing Network, which includes over 30 international organizations dedicated to offering reentry assistance to formerly incarcerated women, as mentioned in this week’s release.

The SAFE Housing Network is committed to de-carcerating the United States, empowering individuals by providing a healing environment and advocating against mass incarceration.

Since its inception in 2019, SAFE housing and Turning Point have supported more than 700 formerly incarcerated individuals while extending reentry services to approximately 12,000 people since their establishment, according to the announcement.

Susan Burton, founder of A New Way of Life, CNN Hero, and a 2023 NBC News Inspiring America honoree, remarked, “Empowering women to reintegrate into their communities is crucial for breaking the cycle of recidivism. Michelle Perkins is transforming this organization into an invaluable community resource that offers stability and support for women transitioning back to life outside prison, ensuring they have a clear path to success.”

“It’s gratifying to witness Turning Point evolve into a reputable institution that has assisted women throughout LA County. They demonstrate that by supporting and uplifting our most vulnerable populations, we can enhance the well-being of the entire community.”

The New Way of Life reentry housing model, which is employed by the SAFE Housing Network, highlights the critical need for housing as one of the key reasons behind high recidivism rates, noted to be 65 percent nationwide. However, residents of A New Way Of Life facilities experience a recidivism rate of only six percent.

“Each year, nearly 2.5 million women are released from jails and prisons, facing numerous barriers to successful reintegration. As we celebrate Turning Point SAFE Home’s achievements today, we recognize the ongoing need to provide essential resources and services that will aid these women in rebuilding their lives, contributing to their communities, and reuniting with their families permanently,” stated the announcement regarding the LA home.

Roxy Benson is a third-year student majoring in political science at the University of Vermont, with a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. While working towards her Bachelor’s degree, Roxy aims to apply to law school in the future to gain further insights into the American justice system and contribute towards eliminating prevalent injustices. She is passionate about criminal justice reform and aligns her interests with advocating for various social justice issues through her writing and academic pursuits.

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