Reentry Mapping Network

The Reentry Mapping Network (RMN) was a nationwide partnership between the Urban Institute and organizations in 15 cities working to map and analyze prisoner reentry and related issues in their communities. The RMN partners collected, analyzed, and mapped local data on incarceration, reentry, and community well-being. They presented the findings to community members and work with local stakeholders to use the findings to improve reentry policy and practice. The Urban Institute provided guidance and assistance to the RMN partners, promoted collaboration across the sites, and shared knowledge developed in the Network through products.

What is Reentry Mapping?

Reentry mapping refers to the use of computerized mapping to understand the spatial dynamics of incarceration and prisoner reentry (the return of previously incarcerated people to the community). This geographic lens enables the examination of the various ways in which neighborhoods and communities are affected by crime and the justice system. It also supports the identification of the intersection between criminal justice policies and related factors such as poverty, education, housing, and access to services. Mapping allows us to visualize the challenges a community experiences as a result of prisoner reentry and the resources available to address those challenges, drawing connections between the two.