Terri Ramsey Beavers 
Starting a new life after prison or after being convicted can be difficult to cope with, especially if you do not have a solid support group of friends and family members. However, starting a new life is not impossible, and there are many things to do that can help you to integrate back into society after prison or a court case.
- Find a Good Lawyer
Finding and investing in a good lawyer can help you to reduce your prison sentence and ensure that you can return to your normal life as quickly as possible. Not only this, but good lawyers can help to give you advice and support during your court case, as well as defend you in the court and when you are on trial. If you want to return to normal life as quickly as possible, you should seek a Criminal Lawyer, Philadelphia who can help to manage your case with experience of the justice system and legal world, including against claims of theft, homicide, domestic violence, and drugs.
- Join Schemes and Support Groups
If you have been sentenced or are coming to the end of a long court case, you should consider joining schemes and support groups which can help you when you are integrating back into society. Reach out to rehabilitation schemes to see what they offer, if not there are also many charities which run support groups for offenders and their families. This can help you to reconnect with your old life and motivate you to set goals and targets. Not only this but speaking with other offenders can help you to come to terms with your experiences and receive the support that you need when joining the outside world.
- Apply for a Job
Employment is a big step for those who have recently offended, and many employers offer schemes and inclusion policies to help ex-offenders. You should start looking for jobs in shops or restaurants, where there is an opportunity to aim for promotion, as this can give you targets to work towards. There are projects, charities, and non-profit organizations that are helping ex-offenders to find a job and get the support that they need with this, with many offering online resources and lists of potential employers for ex-offenders. Many employers are also starting to offer skills development and support for those that have offended in the past.
- Find Housing
Finding housing greatly lowers the re-offending rate, and so it is important that you are able to do this. Many non-profit organizations and government resources focus on helping offenders find accommodation once they leave prison, and, if possible, you should ask someone outside prison to contact these resources and fill out the necessary paperwork before you are released, as this will enable you to find accommodation straight away.
- Volunteer and Contribute to Community
You should also aim to volunteer and contribute to the community, which will not only increase your prospects in terms of finding a job, but it is a great way to reconnect with the outside world. This can help you to adjust to life outside by forming social connections and by enabling you to visualize a new life away from prison.