Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine how formerly incarcerated individuals navigate reintegration, focusing on the factors that influence their experiences during and after release. A qualitative content analysis approach was used to examine the data collected from 10 interviews. Participants from Sacramento, Vallejo, Bakersfield, and Santa Rosa were selected using a snowball sampling method. Three primary themes were identified: access to services during and after incarceration; structural barriers with a subtheme of agency and mindset; and the role of social support in reintegration, with a subtheme of support during and after incarceration. A key finding in this study was that reintegration outcomes are influenced by individual agency, social support, and structural conditions. The implications for social work policy and practice are discussed.