In April 2017, Tanya was released from federal prison. Faced with the stigma attached to being a federally convicted felon, she knew the odds of returning to normalcy would be slim. A grimmer reality from the re-entry community blindsided her. While in the halfway house, she went to several small and well-known not-for-profit organizations. To her dismay, Tanya found that re-entry services did not exist for returning federal justice-impacted individuals with conditions. Tanya witnessed how the disparity between individuals returning from federal prison were treated differently than those returning from New York state and local prisons.
As a result of these experiences, Tanya vowed to be the catalyst for change! In 2024, Tanya became a JD Candidate, she plans to become a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney.
Tanya Pierce, MBA founded Life Unbolted Inc (LU) in 2018, an advocacy re-entry organization that seeks to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate re-entry disparities in programs, housing, and employment opportunities for men and women impacted by the federal criminal justice system in New York City.
I want everyone to know, that just because I was convicted of a federal crime. I am human and deserve to be treated equally. People always judge me without given me an opportunity.
Upon my release to the halfway house in 2017, my spine required surgery. After serving 13 years in Federal Prison
I was given a 48-hour pass to have severe surgery. I was mandated to return to the halfway house without medication- since controlled substance medications were prohibited. Due to my chronic health issue, I was locked in the halfway house for one year without any training or re-entry services. I contacted several re-entry organizations for assistance with computer training and housing. None of the organizations offered programs for federal inmates in the halfway house. The rules of the halfway house were beyond their scope of services. Six years later, I still live with my family and suffer from chronic pain.
After serving 12 years in Federal Prison, I was released without any identification or documentation to obtain my identification. I wanted to move to NY to be with my minor children, who live with their aunt. I contacted several providers for housing and re-entry services. I was denied all services. I am stuck in Connecticut with no federal re-entry services. I have made eight trips to the motor vehicle department and four trips to get my social security card to no avail for over 18 months. I do not have a job. I depend on my elderly parents for financial and moral support. Sometimes I feel as if I am drowning in depression.
We love to hear from the community, so feel free to contact during normal business hours.
147 Prince Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, United States
(929) FED-3949 (929) 333-3949 Email: info@lifeunbolted.org
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