This qualitative research investigates the role of the church in promoting civil reintegration for ex-inmates. Drawing from social justice and the Church's teachings on redemption and the dignity of each human person, this research investigates how church-led initiatives and advocacy work to overcome the range of barriers faced by returning citizens. The study focused on churches in urban areas with established reentry programs. This study used a purposive sampling strategy to select participants who had direct experience with reentry initiatives. The participants were 10 church leaders, 5 social workers, and 8 ex-inmates who had participated in church-led programs. It explores key themes in the experiences of returning citizens through interviews with church leaders, social workers, and the returning citizens themselves: community support, mentorship, employment opportunities, and policy advocacy. The findings indicated that churches played an instrumental role in providing not only practical support but also in advocating for systemic changes that promote the reintegration process. The study emphasizes faith-based efforts as a means of advancing a more caring and just community that provides returning citizens with an opportunity for redemption and reintegration.
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