While Minnesota was still only ranked 48th for highest imprisonment rate in 2016, the state was one of four to increase its prison population by more than 10 percent between 2010 and 2015, according to the Sentencing Project.

Many states are lowering incarceration rates with policy changes, but First Congregational Church in Detroit Lakes is hoping to do their part by coming at the issue from another angle, by hosting an event on March 30 at 5 p.m. to educate people on the struggles ex-convicts face when trying to reassimilate to society after they are released from jail or prison.

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"The event is called Locked Out of the Inn," said Joy Johnson, a church leader who is organizing the event.

Johnson is currently in seminary, and she says she is focusing her work around jail and prison ministry. She says after spending just three weeks in jail herself 10 years ago, she learned the hard way how difficult it can be to get a job and find a place to live after getting released.

"When I got out, and my husband got out, we were in at the same time .... We actually struggled for a while to find a job - and we're white and just had a misdemeanor," said Johnson, adding that she knows assimilating is even more difficult for minorities.

The problem is many people in jail and prison struggle to get a job or adequate housing when they are released because employers and landlords won't take a chance on them, said Johnson.

According to the Sentencing Project, more than 60 percent of ex-convicts are still unemployed a year after release and, those lucky enough to find a job still earn 40 percent less per year than people without a criminal record.

There are other obstacles that make transitioning out of incarceration difficult, as well. For example, there is a lifetime ban on food and cash assistance for people with a criminal drug charge on their record.

As a result of these struggles, many ex-convicts have nowhere to turn. They end up homeless and may turn back to crime to survive, landing themselves right back in jail or prison.

"Society doesn't give second chances. Jesus forgives, but the world does not. It's just an ongoing struggle. You're pretty much doing your time for the rest of your life, even though you've already served your time," said Johnson.

On the flip side, if ex-convicts are able to just get a job after getting released, there is a 20 percent drop in the likelihood of them getting reincarcerated, according to a Manhattan Institution study.

Johnson says she and her husband would not have made it when they were released from jail 10 years ago, if it weren't for the support they received from their church in North Carolina, where they were living at the time. They needed a hand to get back to life outside of jail, as do many others, which is why she felt called to do something to help.

Locked Out of the Inn is meant to educate the public on these issues and how to ease the burden of assimilating back into society after jail and prison.

Johnson says the event will be a forum with several speakers, including Executive Director of Crossing HOME John Henderson, Chaplain of the Otter Tail County Jail Talmadge Hobbs, as well as a few people who will give personal testimonies about the struggles they faced when they were released from incarceration.

Speakers will be given time to talk and answer questions. A meal and drinks will be provided by the church. And there will also be time for attendees to brainstorm ways the burden of assimilating ex-convicts can be eased in the area.

"I'd like to see a plan of action about what we can do as a community to help people transition come out of this event," said Johnson, adding that she also hopes this will educate employers and landlords about hiring or renting to ex-cons and encourage them to do so.

Locked Out of the Inn is open to the public. It's free to attend, and people don't even need to RSVP. They can just show up to First Congregational Church at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.