Prestera RESTART

Prestera Health Services’ RESTART (Reentry, Support, Treatment, Recovery and Training) is a comprehensive, person-centered reentry program designed to help individuals successfully transition from incarceration back into their communities with the tools, resources, and support needed to achieve recovery, stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term independence. RESTART currently provides reentry services to individuals at South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, Western Regional Jail in Barboursville, and Southwestern Regional Jail in Holden, WV.

RESTART takes an integrated, whole-person approach to reentry, recognizing that successful community reintegration requires more than addressing a single need. The program addresses both health-related social needs and factors associated with recidivism, including housing instability, transportation barriers, food insecurity, unemployment, educational needs, financial instability, family and social challenges, substance use, mental health needs, recovery environment, prosocial relationships, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and other criminogenic risk factors.

Whenever possible, the reentry process begins before release. RESTART staff work with individuals while they are still incarcerated to complete individualized assessments, identify barriers to successful reentry, and develop a comprehensive reentry plan. Planning may include securing housing, obtaining identification and benefits, coordinating healthcare and behavioral healthcare, ensuring continuity of medications and substance use treatment, establishing transportation, connecting individuals to employment and education opportunities, strengthening family and recovery support, and preparing individuals to meet probation, parole, court, and other justice-system requirements.

Following release, RESTART provides a seamless transition from incarceration to community-based care. The Mobile Reentry Unit meets individuals at or immediately following release and provides transportation, necessities, behavioral healthcare, recovery support, and direct connection to community resources. Rather than simply providing referrals, RESTART emphasizes warm handoffs and active care coordination, helping individuals successfully connect with housing, treatment, healthcare, employment, benefits, recovery supports, and other essential services.

RESTART offers a broad continuum of support that may include housing assistance, employment and education services, food and basic-needs assistance, transportation, substance use and mental health treatment, primary care and wellness services, medication and recovery support, family and social support, assistance navigating legal, probation/parole, and other justice-system requirements, and ongoing case management, peer support, and care coordination.

RESTART recognizes that the period immediately following incarceration is a critical window for intervention. Staff maintain ongoing engagement after release to help individuals overcome barriers, remain connected to treatment and recovery services, maintain housing and employment, strengthen prosocial relationships, meet justice-system obligations, and build the stability necessary for long-term success.

Through this coordinated continuum, from pre-release assessment and planning to release-day intervention, immediate stabilization, community connection, and ongoing support, RESTART creates a bridge between incarceration and the community. The goal is not simply to help individuals leave jail, but to help them successfully return to their communities, address the factors that contributed to justice-system involvement, establish stable lives, and achieve sustained recovery, independence, and meaningful community participation.