City publishes 'Flip The Script,' a handbook for people coming home from jail and prison

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker this week unveiled Flip The Script, a printed handbook for Philadelphians leaving jail or prison, the Philadelphia Tribune reported. It was produced by the city's Division of Reentry and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

Coming home from incarceration means finding work, housing, an ID and health care all at once, often with a record that follows you. The guide tries to put the answers in one place. With Election Day on Nov. 3, it also covers who can vote.

What's in it

According to the Tribune, the handbook covers:

• employment, including what employers may legally consider about a criminal record;
• housing, identification and public benefits;
• education and health care;
• legal protections and voting rights.

It is available in print with a scannable code for a digital copy. It was launched at the Division of Reentry's Neighborhood Resource Center on Broad Street, with a North Philadelphia community group as a partner.

What officials said

Parker said many residents never learn about city services and said people "need to have a PhD" to navigate the city's website, the Tribune reported. Assata Thomas, executive director of the Division of Reentry, said reentry "is about having a fair chance to move forward." Renee Chenault Fattah, who leads the Commission on Human Relations, said the guide explains what employers can and cannot do, and that "with rare exception, anybody with a record can vote" in Pennsylvania. Public Safety Director Adam Geer tied the effort to the city's violence-prevention strategy.

The Tribune noted that Pennsylvania generally lets people with felony convictions vote once they are no longer incarcerated, if they meet registration rules. The registration deadline for Nov. 3 has passed.

What our records add

Council's recent reentry actions have been ceremonial resolutions.

• Prison Skills Center. On Oct. 15, Council adopted Resolution 260860, from at-large Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, celebrating the Department of Prisons' new Skills Center for career readiness. It had 11 sponsors.
• Second Chance Month. In April, Council adopted Resolution 260409, from 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., recognizing reentry workers, employers and returning residents. It also had 11 sponsors.
• Reentry Awareness Month. In May 2025, Council President Kenyatta Johnson led Resolution 250584 marking June as Reentry Awareness Month.
• No reentry bill. Our records of 2025 and 2026 legislation show no ordinance creating, funding or changing the Division of Reentry's programs. Its money runs through the annual operating budget, Bill 260199 for this year, which passed 17-0.
• The jails right now. Health care inside the jails was the subject of Wednesday's Legislative Oversight hearing. We covered it here.

What's next

The city has not said how many copies were printed or where they will be distributed beyond the resource center, according to the Tribune's account. Members can ask about reentry results and funding at next spring's budget hearings.