The purpose of the Lee College Reentry Department is to provide our current and former students with a pathway to successful reintegration into society through providing wraparound support services.
Mission / Vision
Mission
The mission of the Lee College Huntsville Center (LCHC) Reentry Department is to provide current and former students a structured pathway to successful reintegration into society through comprehensive wraparound support services. These services strengthen community connections, reduce recidivism, and promote desistance by developing self-efficacy and life skills, key factors in improving public safety and post-release outcomes.
Vision
The vision of the LCHC Reentry Department is to offer hope and opportunity by empowering individuals to lead self-sufficient and pro-social lives. The department aims to foster desistance and reduce recidivism by enabling participants to positively impact their families and communities, creating sustainable generational change.
Services
Student Services
Reentry Classes
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department offers an eight-week Reentry Life Skills course designed to prepare individuals inside prison for a successful transition from incarceration to community life. The class focuses on essential topics such as employment readiness, financial literacy, communication skills, goal setting, and personal development. Through interactive lessons and support from experienced facilitators, participants build confidence, strengthen decision-making skills, and develop the tools needed to achieve long-term stability and success after release. (This class is only offered in the nine units the Huntsville Center serves.)
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department provides presentations to all Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes to inform students about the reentry support services available to them before and after release. During these sessions, staff explain how the department assists with career planning, job placement, education continuation, and community resource connections. Students are encouraged to stay in contact with the reentry team upon release to receive personalized guidance and support as they transition back into their communities. These presentations help ensure that every student is aware of the resources and opportunities available to promote long-term success after incarceration.
Exit Strategies
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department accepts requests for individuals who have been paroled or are being discharged to help create a structured reentry plan for individuals seeking additional support before release. Each plan is personalized to address needs such as housing, employment, education, and access to community resources. Our staff works one-on-one with participants to set realistic goals and connect them with services that promote stability. This individualized approach helps students build a strong foundation for successful reintegration into their communities.
Employer Partnerships
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department facilitates employer tours inside correctional facilities to connect community employers with skilled, education-focused students preparing for reentry. During these visits, employers learn about the college's academic and vocational training programs, meet potential candidates, and gain firsthand insight into the talent and professionalism of incarcerated students. These partnerships often lead to post-release interview opportunities and employment pathways, creating a bridge between education, rehabilitation, and workforce reintegration. By fostering these collaborations, Lee College helps strengthen community ties and expand second-chance hiring opportunities for returning citizens.
Alumni Services
Support Groups
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department hosts weekly support groups every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom, providing a safe and welcoming space for returning citizens to connect, share experiences, and build positive networks. These groups foster community, accountability, and encouragement among participants adjusting to life after incarceration. In addition to the general weekly group, the department offers specialized sessions each month, including a Ladies' Support Group and a Long-Timers' Group, designed to address the unique needs of different populations. Together, these gatherings create a supportive environment where participants can discuss challenges, celebrate progress, and strengthen their reentry journey through shared understanding and connection.
Student Engagement
Alumni Picnics and Family Fun Days
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department promotes alumni engagement through events such as the annual Alumni Picnic and Family Fun Day, designed to celebrate connection, growth, and community. These gatherings bring together released students, their families, and Lee College staff for a day of fun, fellowship, and shared purpose. More than just a reunion, the event stands as a powerful testimony to the role of education in fostering desistance and long-term success after incarceration. By creating a welcoming space for alumni and their loved ones, Lee College continues to strengthen its commitment to supporting students beyond the classroom and into their reentry journey.
3rd annual LCHC Alumni & Family Barbecue — Houston, 2025:
3rd annual LCHC Alumni & Family Barbecue — Dallas, 2025:
Mentorship
The Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department offers mentorship opportunities that connect newly released individuals with reentry specialists and successful alumni who have reestablished themselves across the state of Texas. These mentors, many of whom have been released for several years, share their personal experiences, guidance, and encouragement to help others navigate the challenges of reentry. Through consistent support and real-world insight, they help mentees build confidence, set attainable goals, and find stability in their communities. This mentorship network embodies the spirit of giving back and demonstrates the lasting impact of education and perseverance beyond incarceration.
Data
Recidivism (PDFs): CY 2022 Releases | CY 2021 Releases | CY 2020 Releases
*Source Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division Institutional Research Division
Contact LCHC Reentry Services
Hours:
Mon.-Thu.: 7:15 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Fri.: 7:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Phone: 936.755.7244
Email: reentry@lee.edu
Director: Tracy P. Williams
Phone: 936.755.7525
Media Links
Newspapers
- https://achievingthedream.org/from-incarceration-to-hope-and-opportunity-how-lee-college-changes-lives/
- https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/26/texas-prison-reentry-classes-lee-college-huntsville/
- https://greatertexasfoundation.org/2024/lee-college-awarded-750000-to-launch-innovative-pathway-program-for-incarcerated-students-post/
Podcast & Student On-Site Interviews
In 2026, the Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department launched an innovative podcast series featuring alumni, instructors, staff, and employers who have hired system-impacted graduates. This groundbreaking initiative highlights stories of transformation, resilience, and success while offering insightful conversations about education, employment, and second chances. Through on-site interviews and authentic storytelling, the podcast serves as both an informative resource and an inspiring platform that fosters hope and challenges perceptions about reentry and rehabilitation. It stands as a testament to the power of education and community in changing lives.
Donations
https://www.lee.edu/foundation/donate/huntsville-center-re-entry-services-dept/index.php
Inside Reentry Forums
In 2026, the Lee College Huntsville Center Reentry Department introduced a new series of in-prison reentry forums featuring guest speakers, employers, alumni, and reentry staff. These events go beyond the traditional classroom setting to reach a broader audience of incarcerated students, providing valuable information about reentry resources, employment opportunities, and community support. By bringing real-world voices and experiences inside the unit, the forums inspire hope, encourage preparation for release, and strengthen the connection between education and successful reintegration.