Reentry Resources in Massachusetts (2026 Directory)
Jump to: Overview • Key Organizations • Housing • Jobs • Legal Help • Credit & Money
Last updated: March 2026. Programs and contacts are verified periodically — confirm directly before visiting.
Overview
Massachusetts offers a strong network of reentry support for people returning from incarceration. The state combines community-based housing programs, workforce training, and legal services designed to reduce barriers to stability. Many reentry services operate in partnership with local sheriff’s offices, the Department of Correction, and community organizations in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and other regions.
Housing options include transitional programs and justice-focused advocacy groups working to expand fair housing access. Job support is available through MassHire career centers, targeted reentry programs, and employer-linked training pathways. Massachusetts also provides resources for record sealing and expungement, along with financial counseling and free tax assistance.
These programs help individuals rebuild stability, gain employment, and reestablish roots in their communities.
Key Reentry Organizations
The organizations below are the primary contacts for wraparound reentry support in Massachusetts — covering case management, advocacy, and coordination across housing, employment, and legal needs.
| Organization | What They Do | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts DOC — Reentry Affairs | Pre-release planning and community transition coordination through the Massachusetts Department of Correction — manages reentry programming, halfway house referrals, and community supervision transitions statewide. | Visit |
| Roca (Chelsea / Springfield) | Intensive reentry program targeting high-risk young adults — trauma-informed case management, employment, and life skills support in Boston, Chelsea, and Springfield. One of Massachusetts’s most data-driven reentry models. | Visit |
| Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts | Legal advocacy and representation for incarcerated and recently released individuals — civil rights, disciplinary hearings, parole issues, and reentry civil legal barriers across Massachusetts. | Visit |
| Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission | State agency providing vocational rehabilitation, employment training, and barrier navigation for individuals with disabilities and criminal records — job placement support across Massachusetts. | Visit |
Housing Assistance
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Justice Housing | Support and advocacy for people with criminal records facing housing barriers. Works to expand fair housing access and empower formerly incarcerated individuals. | Visit |
| Volunteers of America Massachusetts | Reentry housing and support through partnerships with county correctional facilities. Offers case management, stabilization services, and transitional housing programs, including specialized services for women and veterans. | Visit |
| Gavin Foundation – Reentry & Transitional Housing (Boston) | Structured transitional housing with case management, employment assistance, and recovery support for individuals returning from incarceration and reentering the community. | Visit |
Job & Employer Programs
| Program / Organization | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| MassHire Career Centers (State Workforce Agency) | Job centers statewide: job search help, apprenticeships/OJT, resume support, employer referrals, plus bonding & WOTC for people with records. | Visit |
| ROCA Massachusetts (Boston, Chelsea, Lynn, Springfield/Holyoke) | Intensive re-entry and employment program for high-risk young adults and justice-involved women. Offers transitional work crews, coaching, and job placement for individuals who need structured long-term support. | Visit |
| STRIVE Boston | Intensive job-readiness bootcamp with placement support. Focus on folks with barriers to work, including those with criminal records; ongoing coaching to keep jobs. | Visit |
Legal Help & Record Clearing
| Organization | Services | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston Legal Services | Free legal services for people with records, focusing on sealing CORI and removing barriers to jobs & housing. | Visit |
| Community Legal Aid | Legal representation and advice for justice-involved individuals across central & western Massachusetts, specifically for record sealing, | Visit |
| Legal Services Center (Harvard Law) | Offers clinics and free guidance on sealing/expunging criminal records in Massachusetts; helps determine eligibility and navigate forms. | Visit |
Credit & Financial Support
| Program | Focus | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Bank On (Massachusetts) | Safe checking accounts (no overdraft), second-chance banking, help opening accounts with participating banks/credit unions. | Visit |
| Metro Housing Boston – Financial Assistance & Coaching | Budget & credit coaching, rental stabilization funding, tenant support, and help navigating benefits. | Visit |
| MASSCAP (Community Action Agencies & VITA Programs) | Free tax preparation, budgeting help, and credit-building support through local Community Action Agencies and IRS-certified VITA sites across Massachusetts. | Visit |
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