Frequently Asked Questions

---

Reentry means to return to...

No Struggle No Success is designed to prepare a person and his/her family for reentry into the community.  This means an individual was released from a jail, detention center, or prison and has now returned back to their community. 

Please allow 72 hours to receive an initial response on your referral status. A full referral can take up to 14 days to process when all documentation has been submitted and reviewed. Please call 443-869-6997 to check program status. You are welcome to schedule a consultation call with NSNS leadership before submitting a program referral. 

No. No Struggle No Success, Inc. is a reentry program. No staff has the authority to provide relief to any incarcerated person.  The organization cannot and will not provide legal advice, nor does any staff member have the authority to release anyone from jail or prison. Lastly, obtaining an acceptance letter doesn't guarantee any release; this includes parole or sentence modification hearings.

NSNS is happy that the prison and detention centers have distributed communication devices. Per DPSCS, the devices are also expected to help in the state’s fight to reduce the smuggling of the narcotic Suboxone, which is often brought into correctional facilities through paper, fueling prison violence.  

Currently, NSNS is not accepting calls or messages from these devices. We adhere to the following practices while working closely with state facilities, law firms and advocacy groups:

• Security Risks: Electronic devices can coordinate illegal activities, smuggle contraband, or communicate with criminal networks outside the prison. They may also be used to plan escapes or other illicit actions.
• Privacy and Safety: Inmates using electronic devices could access or share sensitive information about themselves, other inmates, or prison operations. This could compromise the safety and privacy of everyone involved.
• Disruption: Allowing inmates to use electronic devices could disrupt the order and discipline of the prison. It might create inequalities or lead to conflicts among inmates.
• Rehabilitation Goals: The restrictions on electronic device use are part of broader efforts to help inmates focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Limiting access to technology helps inmates engage more fully in educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs.

Yes, an incarcerated individual may have their attorney, case manager and/or authorized party submit a NSNS official referral. If they are accepted, NSNS will work closely with a HD case management unit to follow the process of home plan verification, property inspection, and plan according to their scheduled release date. * Certain restrictions apply.  Duration; Charge and Restrictions via Home Detention Unit.

Yes, as part of your reentry intake process, NSNS leadership will attend your scheduled court hearing in person or virtually. Prior to the hearing, we will work closely with your attorney and/or state attorney to provide testimony on the referral or program status, overview of program services, outline of home plan, organization ability to execute court order and community supervision, required services, and linkage to community partners in order to assist with family and stability of housing and structure routine. We will include any additional feedback on growth and safety outcomes and recommendations from clinical providers.  

If the courts approve relief and issue a directive, NSNS will collaborate with the Department of Corrections Case Management and Traffic to arrange the release date and location. Services will commence within 24 hours of the release. Kindly consider the Acceptance Letter as a summary of the home plan. Implementation of reentry began at the referral management process. 

 NSNS will add your referral, categorized under the parole case type, to our waitlist until the Maryland Parole Commission makes a decision. We will not collect any processing fees, arrange intake interviews, or process referrals without a parole decision.

For incarcerated individuals falling under either (1) Maryland Parole Commission or (2) Sentence Modification 8505-05/07 filed motions, a written notification of a release date, delayed release date, or court reconsideration sentence with NSNS as the preferred program is required.

If your referral involves parole preparedness, please complete the referral form. We will then connect you with one of our community partners specializing in parole home plans.

Important Note: According to MPC, parole is a privilege. Upon request, you may ask for an NSNS contingency acceptance letter. The discretion of NSNS reentry panel and the submission of a completed referral with supporting documents will determine the creation of a solid home plan, including DPSCS community supervision if deemed necessary.

If you are in receipt of a contingent acceptance letter, this DOES NOT guarantee your acceptance into the program.  This means we have received your referral and in the process of  reviewing  documents, coordinating interview or pending final decision on acceptance or denial. 

If you are in receipt of an official acceptance letter, this means YOU ARE approved and been officially accepted into the program. The public document will highlight key reentry services, duration and requirements. This document will disseminate to DPSCS, Parole and Probation, Court, Legal, States attorney and referred service providers with under Behavioral Health Administration (BHA).

Yes. If you are court ordered to community services, please have your Parole/Probation Agent complete a referral form on your behalf.  If in mediation, NSN will adhere to court mandates. 

SCHOOL Service-Learning Hours: 

If you are in middle or high school, please have your guidance counselor or parent contact our office for volunteer application. 

INTERNSHIP: NSNS accept internships from Towson University, Coppin State University, University of Maryland and University of Baltimore. If your school is not listed, please contact our office to place a program inquiry. 

VOLUNTEERS: NSNS is happily ready to accept volunteers. We have positions for volunteers; Community Closet, Focus Groups, Peer Support, and Events. You will be trained and oriented where needed to embark on delivering resources, they need to live a healthy, happy, and fulfilling life. 

NSNS has its very own health educator. There is an array healthcare coordination services and resources need for returning citizen. NSNS works with a community health worker, from the Returning Citizens Community Connections and HealthCare Access MD to initiate the process of medical insurance for eligible inmates and upon released assist with applications to Maryland Health Connections. See monthly calendar for health activities or social media podcasts. 

Yes, NSNS enters the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women to instruct career readiness, health education and reentry programming. We link community resources for all women released within the next 6 months.  All referrals are same processed in the same manner. NSNS averages 30+ women served annually.

You must be a United States citizen or have valid citizenship documents. You must have a release date, parole or sentence modification hearing with in 6months. All referrals must be submitted by authorized personnel.  No family or friend can submit a referral. 

A NSNS inventory to request, NSNS designed logo shirts, masks, hoodies, cups and other customized items. A fundraising opportunity to support emergency client assistance; hygiene, meals, clothing, career readiness, childcare, out of pocket medical expenses and initiate/seasonal home care packages. Thank you for patience any questions please call 443-869-6997. 

No Struggle No Success, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.

 NSNS reserved the right to refused services to anyone. A denial letter will be generated an explanation of denied services. You can reapply at any time if your circumstances have changed. This excludes conflict of interest, infraction history. * See Factsheet under program forms

All program services and resources are FREE. 

There is processing reentry fees regardless during the referral management. Each referral takes 10-16 hours to create comprehensive home plan, administrative updates, interview, reporting and  meetings with legal counsel or family. These fees are discussed at the time the referral is processed and completed the initial screening stage. 

Email: npurnell@nostrugglenosuccess.org for more information. Upon acceptance into the program all services and resources are free. 

All processing fees a

Yes, we have entered nearly every DOC facility since October 2021.  NSNS program staff will conduct a 45 minute to 1.5 hour intake interview. NSNS participates in DPSCS monthly or quarterly reentry fairs/events to assist those preparing for release.  If a DPSCS is not cooperating for interviews in-person or virtual , we will (1) request that the attorney schedules the interview/visit OR (2) notify DPSCS on the challenge and if not resolved will deny referral until we are able to complete our full referral workflow. All NSNS leadership have completed volunteer trainings, and background cleared and other trainings to adhere to the agencies policy and procedures. 

Housing Opportunities:

1. Community Housing a 18 + must have valid Medicaid/Medicare insurance, must have a substance abuse diagnose/mental health disorder.

2. Independent Living room share on rental leased per income. 

3. Homeownership credit counseling, assigned a realtor directory and mortgage lenders. 

Benefits of financial literacy, tenants rights, recovery assistance, and access affordable housing resources.  

NSNS have community and transitional housing providers. Upon entry into the property, the program participant is provided a second reminder of house rules verbally and written highlighting several examples of safety to self and others and healthy boundaries.  There are restrictions such as and not limited too; no visitors, unscheduled leaves, fighting, attending scheduled day/evening group sessions, and maintain sober living only. 

Expectations: Supervised outings and curfew. Subject to random and scheduled urinalysis testing. 

There will be monitored 24/7, by house manager. Expectations: Program participant may/may not have limited access to technology, outdoor activities or media/public contact. If an intervention meeting is needed your black out can be extended.  

 NSNS is excited when program participants gain successfully employment.  The goal is to be "alive and free," obtaining employment is a vital step in the process, we follow an individual acceptance letter, we honor for the entire duration 6, 9, 12, or 18 months of programming services listed. A participant will be dismissed from the program under the following conditions violates code of conduct, no valid citizenship records, unresolved detainers across state lines, sexual offense charges, not engage with program services longer than 30 days, No-show/No call, or reoffends/reincarceration. Program services are FREE. 

NSNS serves Maryland residents statewide. You must have valid citizenship and no open charges. 

Ages 11-19, are eligible to enroll NSNS Youth Empowerment Program. All youth and young adults must be residing in Baltimore city or Baltimore County. 

Ages 18-65, are eligible to enroll in NSNS Reentry Program. All adults must reside in the state of Maryland and have a release date within the next 6 months of submitted referral. 

We can not accept someone over the age of 65, unless they are have their own housing with family or assisted living facilities to ensure adequate external resources are connected. 

NSNS has agreed to only accept 10 sex offenders into our program every 2 years.  If they have exhibit of decrease behavior and have received a full evaluation with low risk assessment and recommendations by a clinical psychologist.   DreamLife Treatment Center  Mr. Mike Eaton at meaton@dreamlifetreatment.com OR Hope Haven at (443) 377-9660 as an alternative option. 

   As of January 15, 2024, NO OPEN SPACES for individuals with sexual offense charges. 

1. DOC Case Manager/Social worker/Atty/CP did not referral. No direct inmate referrals accepted.

2. No scheduled sentencing modification hearing within 6 months

2. No release date within the next 6 months with calendar year.

3. Decline to comply with program requirements and expectations

4. Decline participation in program activities within DOC 

5. Convicted or pending sexual offense charge(s).

6. No valid U.S citizenship/immigration status or multiple charges across state lines.

7. Unable to provide program services due to age, offense or home detention program restrictions.

8. Violated code of conduct with NSNS program staff or community partners 

9. Decline signature of program forms, or incomplete referral form. 

10. Unfavorable Infraction History or not releasing violent and negative Gang/Group association 

11. Incomplete referral form and supporting documentation.

12. Fails to be honest on referral 

13. Conflict of Interest

14. Intelligence Unit resolved matters within Department of Corrections; * victim impact statement.

DPSCS now has distributed tablets for text messaging and video chat for those behind the wall. At this time, NSNS business phone lines or email addresses CANNOT accept such form of communication. We will decline until further notice. In the meantime, please have your authorized person listed on your referral form contact us with any program inquires. We also recommend contacting your lawyer for most recent updates on your case.  

For your protection, we do not allow 3way calls.
If you wish to discuss your reentry home plan/status of your case, please connect with attorney, case manager, social worker, and/or add one authorize person * see referral form or write a letter to our office. If you call our office or leadership line you will be reminded of our policy and the caller will drop from the line. We do not want to cause any inconvenience to your case.