The United States has 5 percent of the world’s population but 25 percent of the world’s prison population. The majority of the people in America’s jails and prisons will eventually be released, and then they often to face a myriad of challenges.

This presentation offers an overview of 10-episode training series, Homecoming: Life after Incarceration, developed by Jacob Mihalak and his filmmaking colleague, Josh Hayes, for the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Homecoming is a multimedia project that is designed to highlight the challenges and struggles people experience as they try to re-enter society. Homecoming showcases examples of organizations and people who are leading the way in supporting the reentry population as well as listens to the often-marginalized voices of the population themselves. Homecoming has a secondary focus on the connection between HIV and incarceration and highlights the challenges and opportunities that exist in addressing the housing and health needs of people with HIV exiting jails and prisons.

Jacob Mihalak’s 40-year career has centered around planning, funding, implementing, and providing technical assistance related to housing and services for people living with HIV and/or experiencing homelessness.