Released was founded in 2023 in Gainesville, Florida by people who have been impacted by incarceration. We came together, recognizing that we shared a passion to fill a gap in our community to make space, advocate for, and legitimize the experience of those returning from the carceral system.

Released strives to address the needs of community members returning from incarceration by filling the gap left by systemic entities focused on punitive outcomes. Individuals reentering society often face significant barriers to stability, including housing insecurity, unemployment, and social stigma. Barriers that not only hinder successful reintegration but increase the risk of recidivism and perpetuate cycles of incarceration, which have a detrimental impact on individuals, families, and entire communities.