Vision for critical criminal justice reform: Reentry of Collective Care

This conceptual paper critically examines the systemic inadequacies of the U.S. criminal justice system – particularly its reentry processes – by integrating lived experience with scholarly analysis. Drawing on the personal narrative of AB, a contributing author whose brother faces seemingly insurmountable barriers to reintegration after incarceration, the study highlights the human costs of systemic failures, including wrongful convictions, racial bias, and insufficient reentry support. By bridging personal insights with a comprehensive review of the literature, the paper reveals how current reentry programs frequently prioritize recidivism reduction over holistic rehabilitation. It incorporates international models such as Norway’s principle of normality and Australia’s Throughcare to identify effective strategies rooted in community involvement, trauma-informed care, and restorative justice. This conceptual paper explores the intersection of individual agency and structural barriers, underscoring the importance of culturally responsive approaches, and advocates for systemic reforms that center healing, community collaboration, and structural accountability. This vision for criminal justice reform – grounded in equity and collective care – offers actionable pathways toward meaningful and sustainable change.