Groundbreaking simulation explores life after jail in Salt Lake County

Salt Lake County has introduced a re-entry simulation program aimed at increasing awareness of the challenges faced by individuals reentering society after incarceration or experiencing homelessness. The program, inspired by Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and her staff’s participation in a similar event, seeks to reflect the unique demographics and needs of the county. Through this initiative, participants experience the systemic hurdles that many individuals encounter while trying to reintegrate into their communities.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and Sheriff Rosie Rivera. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County)

“Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and staff had an impactful experience participating in a re-entry simulation in another location, prompting them to bring a similar program to their community,” explained Liz Sollis, communications director for Mayor Wilson. “We recognized the growing need to address challenges faced by unsheltered individuals and those reentering society after incarceration.”

The re-entry simulation program uses real-life data to construct its scenarios, ensuring authenticity in its representation of societal reintegration. Character profiles for participants are based on the experiences of individuals facing homelessness and barriers to re-entry, as collected by a former street outreach case manager.

“The re-entry simulation’s character profiles are crafted based on real-life experiences of individuals facing homelessness in Salt Lake County,” Sollis said. “This dynamic structure allows participants to gain a true-to-life understanding of the barriers people face while reentering society, emphasizing the interconnectedness of policy decisions and real-world impact.”

Participants navigate challenges such as obtaining essential identification documents, finding housing and accessing transportation and employment opportunities. Feedback consistently highlights these experiences as “eye-opening,” with many participants acknowledging they had underestimated the extent of the barriers faced by individuals reentering society.

The simulation exposes several critical challenges, including the difficulty of obtaining identification documents such as state IDs, Social Security cards and birth certificates. These documents are necessary for accessing housing, employment and other basic services. Transportation issues and long wait times at resource centers also emerge as significant obstacles.

“Participants consistently identify several critical barriers in the re-entry simulation, with one of the most significant being the challenge of obtaining identification,” Sollis said. “These essential documents are often prerequisites for accessing housing, employment and other services, making their absence a major hurdle.”

The program’s design is adaptable, incorporating legislative updates, policy changes and participant feedback. For instance, when funding for affordable housing is reduced, the simulation reflects this by limiting available housing options, providing a realistic portrayal of the impact of budgetary constraints.

Salt Lake County views the re-entry simulation as more than an educational tool; it is a driver of systemic change. Insights gathered from participants are shared with local organizations and policymakers, fostering conversations about improving collaboration and support systems.

“Salt Lake County uses the re-entry simulation to inform participants and create conversations within their respective organizations with the purpose of building more collaboration across existing systems,” Sollis explained.

Beyond the simulation, the county offers programs designed to support individuals during the re-entry process. The Jail Resource and Re-entry Program, launched in 2022, provides individuals exiting jail with referrals to mental health and substance use services, Medicaid enrollment and other community resources. Over the past three years, more than 17,000 individuals have benefited from these services.

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson (second from right) at the opening of Ballington House that serves homeless male adults. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County)

 Other ongoing initiatives include the Peer Specialist Network, which connects participants with mentors who have lived experience, and the Legal Defenders Association’s social worker program, which offers targeted support to justice-involved individuals.

Community involvement remains a key component of the program’s success. The county encourages residents, businesses and nonprofits to engage in re-entry efforts through volunteering, advocacy and support for local initiatives. Suggestions include volunteering at shelters, participating in the annual Point-in-Time count, and supporting affordable housing and job training programs.

“The Nov. 21 event is the last scheduled re-entry simulation in 2024,” Sollis said. “If people are interested in participating in future re-entry simulations and/or other efforts, we encourage them to contact the Salt Lake County Office of Homelessness and Criminal Justice Reform.”

Sollis also emphasized the importance of community engagement in public policies to maximize social and economic potential for all residents of the county.

As the program’s current funding concludes in December 2024, Salt Lake County is exploring ways to sustain and expand the initiative.

“This does not mean that the work stops,” Sollis stated. “We will be looking for opportunities to evolve and continue this valuable service to the community.”