Philadelphia Opens New Community Reentry Resource Center

The city's Division of Reentry aims to help former prisoners rejoin the community and reduce recidivism.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:33am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the challenges faced by former prisoners reentering society.Philadelphia's new reentry resource center aims to provide former prisoners with the tools and support they need to successfully rejoin their communities.Philadelphia Today

Philadelphia has opened a new neighborhood resource center in North Philadelphia as part of the city's ongoing efforts to support the successful reentry of former prisoners into the community. The center, operated by the city's Division of Reentry, will provide access to job opportunities, remote probation and parole services, and other resources to help reduce recidivism.

Why it matters

Successful reentry programs are crucial for helping former prisoners reintegrate into their communities, find stable employment, and avoid returning to the criminal justice system. This new center is part of Philadelphia's broader strategy to improve public safety by investing in rehabilitation and support services.

The details

The new reentry resource center is located on the 2500 block of North Broad Street and is operated by the Division of Reentry, which is part of the city's Office of Public Safety. The center will provide access to same-day pay jobs, remote probation and parole services, and other resources to help former prisoners successfully rejoin their communities. The city's first reentry center, located in the Nicetown neighborhood, has already helped over 3,000 Philadelphians and connected 325 people to same-day pay jobs.

  • The new reentry resource center opened on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • The city's first reentry center in Nicetown has been operating for the past year.

The players

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia who joined legislators and social workers to open the new reentry resource center.

Assata Thomas

The executive director of the Division of Reentry, who spoke about the importance of the city's reentry programs.

Uplift Solutions

A nonprofit organization that works with at-risk youth and has helped connect hundreds of Philadelphians to jobs through the city's reentry programs.

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What they’re saying

“We're expanding access to opportunities supporting successful reentry and helping to reduce recidivism.”

— Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia

“We are building a system, one that believes in people and understands that when we get reentry right, we get public safety right. Let me be clear, reentry is not charity. It is good and smart public safety.”

— Assata Thomas, Executive Director, Division of Reentry

“If you look at same day with work and pay, we've connected a hundreds of people to long term or permanent training or permanent jobs just this past year.”

— Atif Bostic, CEO, Uplift Solutions

What’s next

The city plans to open additional reentry resource centers in other neighborhoods in the coming years to expand access to these services across Philadelphia.

The takeaway

Philadelphia's new reentry resource center is a significant investment in helping former prisoners successfully rejoin their communities, find stable employment, and avoid recidivism. By providing access to job opportunities, remote probation services, and other support, the city is taking a proactive approach to improving public safety and reducing the cycle of incarceration.