Credit: WMTV- In partnership with Dane County, EXPO has purchased a new apartment to support the reentry of formerly incarcerated women.
Credit: By Aria Wozniak WMTV
Published: Mar. 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM CST|Updated: Mar. 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM CST
New apartment is a partnered effort with EXPO and Dane County to expand fair chance housing opportunities
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The restorative justice organization, EX-incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) is partnering with Dane County to offer reentry housing support to formerly incarcerated women.The new apartment is part of EXPO’s Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality housing (SAFE). It will house four women for 12-15 months as they leave the incarceration system.EXPO said it hopes the new apartment will be open in June, though it will have to undergo renovations before it opens.The organization, made up of employees who were all formerly incarcerated, serves as a support system to help with successful reentry and prevent recidivism.
“Just to have someone there and to recognize you’re not alone and we’re all more than the choices we regret... it makes all the difference in the world,” Operations Director, Marianne Oleson said.
EXPO said this partnership is important not only in an affordable housing aspect but in a reentry aspect. This will help them expand their already existing housing services.
According to The Sentencing Project organization, the rate of growth for female imprisonment has been twice as high as that of men since 1980.
“Being able to provide a place where women can come... and quite often maybe for the first time hear: you matter, you’re valued, we see you and you deserve hope,” Olsen said, describing why this form of reintegration support is priceless.
The program has been in effect for a year and EXPO said none of the people in their program have been reincarcerated.
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Mar 20, 2025
