Friends Outside

Friends Outside

Friends Outside

Our goal is to help reduce the trauma of incarceration for prisoners and their families, to provide information that can lead to positive changes, and to assist post-release clients with their re-entry into the community. In general, Friends Outside acts as a liaison with concerned individuals, agencies, and the criminal justice system.

Jail Visiting Services

All four local jail facilities are visited by volunteers, who provide one-on-one case management. Other resources available include:

• Property retrieval
• Acting as a liaison between attorneys, family and other agencies
• Providing confidential visits with a knowledgeable and supportive volunteer
• Providing information about numerous community resources including drug/alcohol programs
• Helping with emergencies caused by incarceration
• Bring in resources such as dictionaries, reading glasses, bus passes, and writing tablets
• Help with limited legal and financial situations
• Begin establishing long-term goals that can be transferred to work in our Aftercare program

Post-Release Services

After release from jail or prison, a client, can meet with an Aftercare case manager. Case managers offer support, help facilitate post-release plans and provide a variety services. Family members or loved ones are also encouraged to attend an appointment.

We make every effort to provide the information needed in the first few days of release. Friends Outside is unable to offer financial assistance; however, we may be able to connect clients to the appropriate agencies and churches.


Case managers are extensively trained, and upon making an appointment a client can receive:

• Basic hygiene products, reading glasses, and snacks
• Information on various resources, voicemail, community programs, mental health and health-related services, education, counseling and shelters
• Clothing vouchers and some clothes
• Bus passes
• Assistance complying with probation to prevent unnecessary incarceration (WRAP)
• Information on local and statewide legal and criminal justice agencies
• Informal assistance with a job search
• Free copies of the Friends Outside Resource Guide
. Clients are welcome to return and have more intensive case management(mentoring), which demonstrates increased responsibility for rehabilitation

W.R.A.P.

The Warrant Reduction Advocacy Project is a community-based alternative to incarceration. It offers probationers an opportunity to receive support and assistance to comply with the terms of their probation in order to avoid incarceration. Probationers may receive additional comprehensive services including:

• Jail Visits
• Aftercare Case Management for three to six months

Family Services

Incarceration places the entire family at risk. Family Services supports the family through the initial trauma of incarceration and helps begin the process of rebuilding the family unit. Currently our Family services are offered as part of our post-release services. If a loved one is incarcerated in Santa Cruz County or in the California prison system, we can help with:

• Jail or prison visiting schedules and procedures
• Referrals to criminal justice agencies
• Locating family or friends in the California prison system
• Help understanding the legal system
• General questions about prison or jail
• Information about drug and alcohol treat

How you can help: Be apart of building a safer, stronger, family oriented community. Volunteer Today!