Leveraging lived experience: a qualitative study on the impact of formerly incarcerated consultants in public policy making to improve safety net services.

BACKGROUND

Los Angeles County-wide criminal justice reform and policy decision-making focused on reentry and diversion from incarceration usually include only the voices of law enforcement and other public-sector employees, with little input from impacted community members. The Reentry Health Advisory Collaborative (RHAC), founded in 2020 with grant funding, was established to engage formerly incarcerated individuals and their communities in county safety-net health systems. We aimed to assess the impact of RHAC and the importance of formerly incarcerated community input in safety-net programs and policymaking.

METHODS

In 2022, following 3 years of RHAC implementation, online qualitative surveys were conducted with RHAC members and reentry service collaborators, including agency staff, nonprofits, and policymakers, to understand RHAC's influence and how lived experiences inform justice and health systems.

RESULTS

Thirty replies from collaborators (59%) and eight from members (100%) resulted in thematic findings that highlighted benefits of involving formerly incarcerated persons in program and policy decisions-such as their firsthand experiences, focus on root causes, and community and socioeconomic tailoring approaches-and challenges like limited political power, varying receptiveness to ideas and inclusion, and a lack of sustainable funding. Members shared outcomes like motivation, peer support, leadership skills, and advocacy training needs. Recommendations for future inclusion emphasized promoting awareness and strategies for relationships with public-serving institutions, early inclusion for impacting pivotal decision-making, and continued engagement with the community through on-the-ground grassroots efforts. Barriers to reentry included basic needs, access issues, lack of support, and discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Compensating lived experience in health and justice services promotes inclusive, equitable policies that reflect community needs.