Reentry Programs in West Virginia

Last Updated on: April 28, 2026

Getting out of jail or prison in West Virginia can feel overwhelming, especially if you need housing, food, recovery support, job help, legal help, or basic documents. The good news is that West Virginia has several statewide and local programs that may help people rebuild after incarceration.

Notice: You may also find our “Reentry Survival Guide for Felons” helpful in addition to this page.

List Of Reentry Programs In West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Address: 1409 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: 304.558.2036
Best For: People leaving prison, jail, parole, probation, or community corrections
What It Offers: Reentry planning, correctional supervision, community corrections information, parole related guidance, and connections to state level correctional resources.

The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation should be one of your first contacts if you are still under supervision or recently released. Ask about release planning, required reporting, community corrections contacts, and local programs that may be available in your county.

Jobs & Hope West Virginia

Address: Statewide program
Phone: 304.583.4008 or 833.784.1385
Best For: People in recovery who need job training, employment help, transportation help, or help removing barriers to work
What It Offers: Career training, employment support, connection to partner agencies, help with work barriers, and support for West Virginians in recovery.

Jobs & Hope West Virginia is one of the strongest statewide resources for people rebuilding after addiction, incarceration, or major life instability. The program works through a statewide agency network and focuses on helping people move toward training, certification, and stable employment.

If you are looking for work, also read our list of companies that hire felons and our guide to jobs for felons.

West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences

Address: 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: People who need certified sober living or recovery housing in West Virginia
What It Offers: Directory of certified recovery residences, recovery housing standards, housing guidance, and complaint information.

WVARR is one of the best places to search for sober living homes and recovery residences in West Virginia. Their certified program list includes recovery housing options across the state, with details such as location, population served, bed capacity, admission requirements, and cost when available.

WVARR’s mission is to promote safe, high quality recovery housing for people with substance use disorders through certification, training, technical assistance, and advocacy.

If you need housing but do not need recovery housing, also review our page on emergency housing for felons.

Rea of Hope Fellowship Home

Address: 1429 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.5363
Best For: Women in recovery who need sober living and structure
What It Offers: Women’s residential sober living, recovery support, life skills, safe housing, and long term recovery support.

Rea of Hope is a women’s residential sober living program in Charleston. It helps women recovering from alcohol or drug addiction by providing supportive housing, recovery structure, and life skills.

This is a strong option for women who need more than a bed. It may be especially useful for women who need a sober environment, family reunification support, accountability, and help moving toward self sufficiency.

The Unity Center Ohio Valley Recovery

Address: 4850 Eoff Street, Benwood, WV 26031
Phone: 304.232.3888
Best For: People in recovery near Wheeling, Benwood, Marshall County, Ohio County, and the Northern Panhandle
What It Offers: Peer recovery support, NA meetings, AA meetings, recovery community support, basic needs navigation, Narcan related support, and a safe sober meeting space.

The Unity Center Ohio Valley Recovery is a recovery community resource in Benwood. It hosts regular recovery meetings and provides peer support for people working to stay clean and sober. Its meeting page lists NA and AA meetings throughout the week.

This is a good place to start if you are in the Northern Panhandle and need a sober community, peer support, or a place to build positive connections after release.

Charleston Correctional Center and Jail

Address: 1356 Hansford Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.340.6921
Best For: People connected to Charleston area correctional services, families of incarcerated people, and people seeking local correctional contacts
What It Offers: Correctional facility information, release related contacts, visitation information, and local correctional guidance.

If you are being released from Charleston Correctional Center and Jail, ask staff about discharge planning, required reporting, local reentry contacts, identification documents, medication, transportation, and any referrals available before release.

Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in West Virginia

Housing should be your first priority if you do not have a safe place to stay. A job search is much harder when you are sleeping outside, couch surfing, or moving from place to place.

WVARR Certified Program List

Address: 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: People looking for sober living or recovery housing
What It Offers: A searchable list of certified recovery residences across West Virginia.

WVARR lists many certified recovery residences across the state. This is one of the best housing directories to use if you need sober living after incarceration, treatment, or relapse.

Rea of Hope Fellowship Home

Address: 1429 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.5363
Best For: Women in recovery
What It Offers: Residential sober living, peer support, recovery structure, and life skills.

Rea of Hope is a strong transitional housing option for women who need recovery support in a sober living environment.

Huntington City Mission

Address: 624 10th Street, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: 304.523.0293
Best For: Men, women, and families needing emergency shelter in the Huntington area
What It Offers: Shelter, meals, clothing, case management, spiritual support if requested, and basic education opportunities.

Huntington City Mission provides food, clothing, and shelter, along with case management and support services for people staying at the mission.

If you are leaving incarceration with nowhere to go in the Huntington area, call before you arrive and ask about intake, bed availability, identification requirements, and rules.

Covenant House West Virginia

Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.8053
Best For: People in the Charleston area who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
What It Offers: Drop in center, emergency assistance, food pantry, clothing closet, housing related help, and basic support services.

Covenant House provides services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Greater Kanawha Valley. Resource listings describe direct services such as emergency assistance, a food pantry, clothing closet, and a drop in center.

This is a practical first call if you are in Charleston and need help with food, clothing, shelter referrals, or emergency needs.

Also read: Housing for Felons

Housing Assistance in West Virginia

West Virginia 211

Address: Statewide resource line
Phone: Dial 211 or 833.848.9905
Best For: People who need local housing, shelter, food, utility, or emergency referrals
What It Offers: Referrals for shelters, rent assistance, utility help, food, clothing, health care, mental health support, and local community services.

West Virginia 211 is one of the fastest ways to find local help. The state lists 211 as a referral source for basic human needs such as food banks, clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.

If you cannot reach 211 from your phone, West Virginia 211 also lists 833.848.9905 as an alternate number.

Covenant House West Virginia

Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.8053
Best For: Charleston area housing instability, food, clothing, and emergency support
What It Offers: Emergency assistance, food pantry, clothing closet, drop in services, and referrals.

Covenant House is especially useful for people in Kanawha County who need basic needs support while they work on longer term housing.

Huntington City Mission

Address: 624 10th Street, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: 304.523.0293
Best For: Emergency shelter in the Huntington area
What It Offers: Shelter, meals, clothing, and case management.

Huntington City Mission describes itself as the only full service shelter within a 50 mile radius of Huntington and provides shelter and meals daily.

Also read: Felon Friendly Apartments

Emergency Food, Clothing, and Shelter in West Virginia

West Virginia 211

Address: Statewide resource line
Phone: Dial 211 or 833.848.9905
Best For: Fast referrals when you do not know where to start
What It Offers: Food, shelter, clothing, utility help, rent help, health care referrals, and crisis related referrals.

Call 211 and explain your situation clearly. Say that you were recently released, have a felony record, and need help with shelter, food, clothing, transportation, or documents.

Covenant House West Virginia

Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.8053
Best For: Emergency food, clothing, and support in Charleston
What It Offers: Food pantry, clothing closet, emergency assistance, and drop in services.

Covenant House is a strong local option if you are in Charleston and need immediate basics.

Huntington City Mission

Address: 624 10th Street, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: 304.523.0293
Best For: Shelter, meals, and clothing in Huntington
What It Offers: Emergency shelter, food, clothing, and case management.

This is one of the main emergency shelter options in the Huntington area.

Also read: Financial Help for Felons

Free or Low Cost Health Care in West Virginia

West Virginia Health Right

Address: 1520 Washington Street East, Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: 304.414.5930
Best For: Low income or uninsured people who need medical care in Charleston
What It Offers: Routine health care, pharmacy related help, behavioral health, women’s health, harm reduction, MAT access, peer recovery coaching, dental and vision access, vaccinations, and testing.

West Virginia Health Right operates multiple Charleston area clinics, including the East End Clinic, West Side Clinic, CommUNITY Wellness Center, and Covenant House Clinic.

The Covenant House Clinic page lists services such as routine health care, harm reduction, MAT access, peer recovery coaching, women’s health, behavioral health, dental and vision access, vaccinations, and testing.

Covenant House Clinic

Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.414.5949
Best For: People who need health care and basic support near downtown Charleston
What It Offers: Medical care, harm reduction, MAT access, behavioral health, women’s health, peer recovery coaching, and testing.

This is a useful option if you are already using Covenant House or live near Charleston.

West Virginia Free Clinics Directory

Address: Statewide directory
Phone: Varies by clinic
Best For: People who need free clinic options outside Charleston
What It Offers: A list of free clinics in West Virginia, including clinics in Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling, Clarksburg, and other areas.

The state free clinics directory lists multiple clinic locations and phone numbers across West Virginia.

Also read: Health Insurance for Felons

Legal Documents and Criminal Record Help in West Virginia

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Address: Statewide legal aid program
Phone: 866.255.4370
Best For: Expungement questions, civil legal issues, driver license issues, housing problems, benefits issues, and legal guidance
What It Offers: Legal information, legal aid intake, expungement information, and help with certain civil legal problems.

Legal Aid of West Virginia provides information on expungement of criminal records and tells users to contact their helpline for help.

Expungement law can be complicated, so do not assume you are eligible without checking. Legal Aid of West Virginia specifically warns that expungements are complicated and recommends speaking with a lawyer about your specific case.

Jobs & Hope Expungement Resource

Address: Statewide online resource
Phone: 304.583.4008 or 833.784.1385
Best For: People trying to understand West Virginia expungement basics
What It Offers: General information about expungement and why legal help matters.

Jobs & Hope provides general information about expungement, but it also notes that expungement law is complex and that people should consult a lawyer about their specific case.

Also read: Can a Felon Get a Passport?

Financial Help in West Virginia

West Virginia 211

Address: Statewide resource line
Phone: Dial 211 or 833.848.9905
Best For: Rent help, utility help, food help, emergency resources, and local referrals
What It Offers: Referrals to local assistance programs based on county and need.

West Virginia 211 should be your first call if you need rent assistance, utility assistance, food, shelter, or basic emergency referrals. The state describes 211 referrals as including shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance, food and clothing banks, health resources, and mental health resources.

Covenant House West Virginia

Address: 600 Shrewsbury Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.8053
Best For: Emergency help in the Charleston area
What It Offers: Emergency assistance, food pantry, clothing closet, housing related support, and drop in services.

Covenant House is a practical local contact for people who need emergency help while rebuilding.

Also read: Loans and Grants for Felons

Employment Help in West Virginia

Jobs & Hope West Virginia

Address: Statewide program
Phone: 304.583.4008 or 833.784.1385
Best For: Job training, work barriers, recovery support, and career rebuilding
What It Offers: Training, employment pathways, recovery support, and help connecting with partner agencies.

Jobs & Hope is one of the best employment resources in West Virginia for people who are trying to rebuild after addiction, incarceration, or major life disruption. The program connects people in recovery with training and employment support.

WorkForce West Virginia

Address: Statewide workforce system
Phone: Varies by local office
Best For: Job search help, unemployment services, training referrals, and local workforce support
What It Offers: Job listings, workforce services, training referrals, hiring events, and local workforce office support.

WorkForce West Virginia is not only for people with records, but it can still help with job search, resume support, and workforce referrals.

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Address: Statewide legal aid program
Phone: 866.255.4370
Best For: People whose criminal record, driver license, housing issue, or legal problem is blocking employment
What It Offers: Legal information, intake, expungement resources, driver license help, and other civil legal support when eligible.

Legal barriers can make it harder to get hired. If your record, license, fines, or court issues are blocking work, contact Legal Aid and ask whether they can help.

Also read: Jobs for Felons

Substance Abuse Help and Recovery Support in West Virginia

Help4WV

Address: Statewide helpline
Phone: 1.844.HELP.4.WV
Best For: Immediate help with substance use, mental health, and recovery support
What It Offers: 24 hour call or text help for West Virginians struggling with substance use or mental health issues.

Help4WV is a statewide resource for people who need immediate help with substance use or mental health. The site says West Virginians can call or text 1.844.HELP.4.WV for immediate help.

The Unity Center Ohio Valley Recovery

Address: 4850 Eoff Street, Benwood, WV 26031
Phone: 304.232.3888
Best For: People in recovery in the Wheeling, Benwood, and Ohio Valley area
What It Offers: Peer support, NA meetings, AA meetings, recovery community support, and a sober meeting space.

The Unity Center lists recovery meetings throughout the week and can be a strong support option for people who need community after release.

Rea of Hope Fellowship Home

Address: 1429 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304.344.5363
Best For: Women in recovery who need sober living
What It Offers: Residential sober living, life skills, peer support, and recovery structure.

Rea of Hope is a strong recovery housing option for women who need stability after incarceration, addiction treatment, or relapse.

West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences

Address: 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: People looking for sober living homes across West Virginia
What It Offers: Certified recovery residence directory, recovery housing information, and guidance on recovery residence standards.

WVARR is the best statewide directory to check if you need recovery housing but are not sure which programs operate near you.

Other Helpful Resources

If you need more than reentry programs, these guides may help:

Notice: You may also find our “Reentry Survival Guide for Felons” helpful in addition to this page.

What Makes a Good Reentry Program

A good reentry program does more than hand someone a flyer and send them away. The best programs help with the real problems that usually hit first after release, like housing, ID, transportation, job search, food, clothing, recovery support, and staying on track with parole or probation. A strong program should feel practical. It should help you solve immediate problems while also helping you build toward long term stability.

Good reentry programs also have structure and real follow through. That usually means staff who return calls, clear intake steps, honest answers about what they can and cannot do, and connections to other services when they cannot help directly. The strongest programs often combine several things at once, like case management, mentoring, job readiness, housing help, recovery support, and community referrals. Programs that only offer one small service can still be useful, but the best ones usually help you build an actual plan.

Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program

Call before you go if you can. Ask what services they actually offer, who qualifies, what documents you need, whether they help people right after release, and whether they have waiting lists. This can save time and avoid wasted trips.

Ask specific questions. Do not just ask if they help with reentry. Ask if they help with housing, jobs, IDs, clothing, transportation, recovery, legal referrals, or case management. A lot of places sound helpful until you find out they only offer one narrow service.

Look for programs that connect you to other help. Even if one program cannot solve everything, a good one should know where to send you next. That matters a lot in reentry because most people need more than one kind of support.

Do not judge a program only by its website. Some very helpful programs have weak websites. Some polished websites do not actually provide much real help. What matters most is whether they answer the phone, explain the process clearly, and help people solve real problems.

If a program is full, ask what to do next. Ask if they know another program, another shelter, a workforce office, a church ministry, or a local county resource that may help sooner. One good referral can make a big difference.

Keep your paperwork together. If possible, carry your ID, release paperwork, Social Security card, birth certificate copies, parole or probation paperwork, resume, and any referral forms in one folder. That makes it easier to apply for multiple programs fast.

Follow up. A lot of people call once and stop. Reentry services can be overloaded. Sometimes the difference between getting help and not getting help is calling back, showing up on time, and staying on their radar.

Disclaimer

This page is for general informational purposes only. Programs, addresses, phone numbers, services, and eligibility rules can change. Always verify details directly with the organization before relying on them. Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice.