About Wife After Prison
Wife After Prison™ is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 to tackle the psychological changes that people often face after being in prison. These changes can make it very hard for them to adjust when they return to everyday life. We need to recognize that this isn’t just their problem—it’s a problem for all of us. Until we truly understand the psychological effects of incarceration, we’ll keep seeing the same cycle of people going back to prison. It’s up to us to gain insight into the experiences of those still inside and those who return, or we’ll never break this cycle.
Prison is a powerful environment that can deeply affect the way people think and behave, often for the worse. We can’t fix the problem with the same mindset that created it. Through my own experience and by working closely with those affected by the system, including their families, I’ve learned a lot about why this cycle continues. Why do people keep returning to prison? Why do they come out in a worse mental state than when they went in? Why do so many relationships fall apart after release? And why aren’t there more programs addressing these issues?
There’s a strong need for reentry programs that truly prepare people for life after prison, and Wife After Prison™ has answered that call. We’ve seen firsthand the destruction that incarceration causes—recidivism, broken relationships, and even lost lives. Many people affected by the system want to improve their lives and their communities but don’t know how. They might understand why they need to change but lack the tools to make it happen.
The Wife After Prison™ Reentry Program (The Three Pillars of Reentry) offers a new way to approach reentry. This holistic program goes beyond traditional methods that focus only on finding a job and a place to live. We incorporate mental health education, personal development, and job readiness into a structured program that supports the whole person—from their thoughts and emotions to their practical needs. Our goal is to help people succeed in life after prison, making anti-recidivism a reality rather than just a hopeful idea.
About Shelia Bruno
Shelia Bruno is more than just a speaker, author, trainer, and mental health advocate. She serves as a beacon of hope for individuals impacted by the system and their loved ones globally. Through her impactful book, “Wife After Prison: Caught in The Aftermath,” Shelia has positively influenced over 100,000 lives worldwide, including those within correctional facilities. Her purpose is clear: to highlight the often-overlooked mental health challenges associated with incarceration.
With her powerful mantra, “Seek to understand, not to deny – prison has side effects,” Shelia sheds light on the profound psychological wounds inflicted by imprisonment. Through her unwavering advocacy, she empowers those affected by the system to envision a life beyond bars, demonstrating that a prison sentence doesn’t have to dictate a lifetime of mental health struggles.
As the innovative Founder and CEO of Wife After Prison™, Shelia leads the charge in raising awareness of PostIncarceration Syndrome (PICS) nationwide. Her captivating speaking engagements draw inspiration from her own
remarkable journey and her unparalleled ability to instill hope in individuals touched by the prison system.
What truly distinguishes Shelia is her unique certification, cultivated not in classrooms but through her personal experiences, dedicated research, astute observations, and hands-on involvement with individuals reintegrating into
society and their families. Her genuine compassion and steadfast authenticity have garnered the trust and admiration of
numerous individuals navigating the complex terrain of mental health and reintegration.
