December 22, 2025
Boosting Successful Reentry: RLS Helps Formerly Incarcerated People Access Benefits
Reentry Legal Services (RLS) of Legal Action of Wisconsin helps formerly incarcerated people secure essential benefits to reduce barriers to successful reentry. Heidi Mangelsen talks about the numbers and impact for the 2025 fiscal year.
By
Heidi J. Mangelsen
The Reentry Legal Services (RLS) program of Legal Services of Wisconsin helps people prepare for life after release from prison by securing essential benefits and health coverage.
Heidi Mangelsen, St. Thomas 2010, is a Reentry Legal Services (RLS) attorney with Legal Action of Wisconsin, in Oshkosh. Her practice focuses on providing legal services to incarcerated people as they approach their release from prison.
RLS attorneys represent eligible clients in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), focusing on individuals with severe, persistent mental health or developmental conditions. BadgerCare paralegals also assist with health insurance enrollment.
To qualify for SSI/SSDI, applicants must have a long-term physical or mental impairment that significantly limits major life activities. By ensuring access to income and healthcare, RLS reduces barriers to successful reentry and lowers recidivism rates.
According to the Becky Young Recidivism Reduction Annual Report for fiscal year 2025, there were:
- 1,665 clients served;
- 473 applications and appeals handled;
- 1,192 BadgerCare+ applications submitted;
- 95 approvals (206 submitted); and
- 46.1% approval rate for disability applications (national average: 38.9%).
These numbers reflect the critical role RLS plays in stabilizing individuals during transition and promoting public safety.
This article was originally published on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Public Interest Law Section Blog. Visit the State Bar sections or the Public Interest Law Section web pages to learn more about the benefits of section membership.
