On Saturday, March 24th, from 8:45 a.m. to noon, Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM) will be presenting a Returning Prisoner Simulation at Memorial UCC.

MUM’s Returning Prisoner Simulation gives participants an “up close and personal” view of what it’s like to come home from prison.  This workshop is structured around a combination of video, personal stories, written descriptions, role play, role-reversal and facilitated discussion. The simulation inserts participants into the types of scenarios and accompanying struggles that released prisoners encounter while attempting to re-enter the broader society after prison. 

The workshop uses video clips to introduce participants to concepts of Restorative Justice and to the process of re-entry. Then participants are given specific instructions about what they will do during the interactive simulation workshop.

Participants can play either the roles of returning prisoners or community workers (e.g. “helper” roles, “enforcer” roles such as police or parole agent, or neutral “bureaucratic” roles).

For those choosing to play returning prisoner role, they will receive upon arrival to the simulation a mock profile that describes the life of a returning prisoner. They must complete fundamental tasks, such as finding housing and a job, or simply cashing a check. The simulation allows a glimpse into the sense of overwhelming frustration that a newly-released prisoner may feel.

During a debriefing, a panel of formerly incarcerated people shares re-entry stories and then answers questions from participants. The workshop concludes with a facilitated discussion about the realities of re-entry. Even experienced professionals in correctional and treatment fields report the simulation was an eye-opener.

You can sign up for this on a sheet in the narthex niche or by emailing your registration to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please include your name, email address and phone number and indicate whether you would prefer to play the role of a returning prisoner or of a community worker.