Friends of Guest House

My blogs

Industry	Non-Profit
Location	Alexandria, VA, United States
Introduction	Friends of Guest House is a transitional home for women coming out of incarceration and who are working to transition successfully back into the community. Our program empowers women by providing them with the tools and support necessary to achieve self-sufficiency and become responsible members of the community. Guest House assists women who sincerely want to improve their lives and break the cycle of incarceration. Follow us on Twitter! @ReentryAdvocacy
Interests	Women in the criminal justice system are largely non-violent and not a risk to public safety. Typically, they are poor women who were arrested for drug-related crimes. Most have substance abuse histories, and are survivors of family violence and sexual abuse as well. Over three quarters are mothers and more than half have minor children at home. Prison is an ineffective and expensive way to treat drug addiction and to develop independent living skills. It can cost over $100, 000 a year to lock up a woman and place her children in foster care. Women leave prison with few tangible skills and face considerable obstacles once they reenter the community. Too often, responses to these complex problems are developed without consideration of the specific challenges raised by women.