Former Inmate Advocates for Detroit Reentry Support
Delenia Howell works with a nonprofit to help others transition back into the community after serving prison time.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Delenia Howell, who served three years in prison, is now helping formerly incarcerated individuals through the nonprofit Nation Outside. The organization provides vital peer support services to those navigating the social stigma of a criminal record.
Why it matters
Nation Outside aims to break the cycles of poverty and stigma that frequently follow incarceration, helping individuals successfully reintegrate into society. This work continues despite the organization facing a reduction in state funding in the 2025 budget.
Delenia Howell received an official sentence discharge in December 2024 following a three-year prison term. Six individuals were charged in a 2021 investigation regarding the deaths of Jonas Williams and Jason Foster.
The players
Delenia Howell
She is a 36-year-old advocate who helps formerly incarcerated people transition back into the community.
Nation Outside
This nonprofit organization provides peer support services to individuals facing stigma after their release from prison.
Cecilia Zavala
She is an individual who pleaded no contest to embezzlement in August 2016.
The details
Howell, a mother of three, leverages her personal experience to support others through Nation Outside in Southwest Detroit. The nonprofit focuses on hiring staff who have previously navigated the justice system to better assist those transitioning back into their neighborhoods.
Timeline
December 8, 2020: Jonas Williams killed in Detroit.
December 9, 2020: Jason Foster killed in Eastpointe.
August 2016: Cecilia Zavala pleaded no contest to embezzlement.
December 2024: Delenia Howell received official sentence discharge.
Legal Context
The operational challenges facing local advocacy groups follow the fiscal constraints set by the 2025 Michigan state budget. This funding shift mirrors broader trends where community-led reentry programs must increasingly rely on private support to maintain service levels.
Residents in Detroit may see increased community support initiatives as nonprofits like Nation Outside intensify their outreach efforts. These programs aim to lower recidivism rates, which can contribute to greater overall stability in local neighborhoods.
The takeaway
Peer-led support networks are essential for individuals attempting to overcome the significant hurdles associated with a criminal conviction. Implementing sustainable funding models remains the primary challenge for organizations dedicated to long-term successful reentry.
What happens next
Delenia Howell is scheduled to be honored at a Seeds of Change event on Friday night.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to assist those transitioning back into the workforce on our Criminal Justice page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDIV.
