by Adam Procell
What is Reentry Royale?
Reentry Royale is an innovative deck of playing cards designed to provide critical reentry resources to the formerly incarcerated. Each card features a different service provider, offering support for housing, employment, education, healthcare, and other essential needs. The deck transforms a simple game into a powerful tool, ensuring that individuals returning to society have easy access to vital resources. Unlike traditional pamphlets or brochures that may go unread, Reentry Royale uses an engaging and familiar format to educate and empower those on their reentry journey.
The Story Behind the Deck
This is our first playing card project, and it was born out of necessity. Far too often, incarcerated individuals struggle to access the resources they need upon release, simply because they don’t know what’s available. Traditional methods of distributing information—such as handouts or posters—are often ineffective. We needed a creative, engaging, and fun way to connect individuals with the support systems that can help them successfully reintegrate. Thus, Reentry Royale was created.
Inspiration and Development
The inspiration behind Reentry Royale comes from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those impacted by incarceration. Many returning citizens are unaware of the services that exist to support them, making their transition even harder. We wanted to find a way to bridge that gap—something accessible, easy to use, and engaging. This deck is a collaboration between organizations, advocates, and individuals who believe in second chances and the power of information.
Design and Creation Process
The deck was designed using Canva, allowing us to create visually appealing and easy-to-read cards. We focused on clarity and accessibility, ensuring that each card delivers essential information in a straightforward manner. The process of collecting and verifying accurate information from numerous service providers was one of the most challenging aspects, but we were committed to ensuring the highest level of accuracy and reliability.
The Impact of Reentry Royale
Every time we introduce this deck to people, we witness a moment of realization—“Why hasn’t this been done before?” The innovation behind Reentry Royale leaves people excited and hopeful. It transforms what could be an overwhelming process into something familiar and approachable. One of the most rewarding moments was seeing a formerly incarcerated individual flip through the deck and say, “This would have changed my life had I had it inside.”
Challenges in Bringing Reentry Royale to Life
One of the biggest hurdles in creating this deck was the sheer number of organizations involved. Each service provider had different information, and cross-checking accuracy took significant time and effort. However, the challenge was well worth it—ensuring that the information in Reentry Royale is up-to-date and reliable is what makes it such a valuable tool.
Our Motto
“A collaboration between our resources and your determination.”
Reentry is not just about having access to services; it’s about the drive and determination to use them. This deck serves as a bridge, but success comes from the individuals who take the next step toward their goals.
Advice for Future Card Creators
To those considering a similar project, our biggest piece of advice is: It will take longer than you think. Whether it’s gathering accurate information, designing, or securing funding, every step requires patience and persistence. But if your project has the potential to create real change, it’s worth every second.
Where to Get Reentry Royale
Unlike commercial card decks, Reentry Royale will not be sold. Instead, it will be donated free of cost to correctional facilities, ensuring that those who need it the most have access to this critical information.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Our goal for 2025 is to raise more funding for future editions of Reentry Royale. We aim to update the deck with new service providers, refine the information, and even create specialized decks that cater to specific needs—such as mental health resources, employment training programs, or family reunification support.
Manufacturing with Shuffled Ink
We chose Shuffled Ink as our manufacturer because of their reputation for high-quality custom card production. The durability, design precision, and overall quality of the decks exceeded our expectations, making them perfect for repeated use in correctional facilities.
Reentry Royale is more than just a deck of cards—it’s a tool for empowerment, a bridge to critical resources, and a step toward a successful reentry journey. We’re excited to see how it continues to impact lives and look forward to expanding this initiative in the years to come.
Connect with Adam at Paradigm Shyft
Learn more about Adam and Paradigm Shyft here: https://paradigmshyft.org/
Request a quote here.
About Shuffled Ink
Shuffled Ink is a multigenerational family business that specializes in printing custom playing cards, tarot & flash cards, custom card games, packaging and more for businesses and individuals worldwide.
To receive complimentary samples of our card products, either follow this link or please include your delivery address and phone number on your custom quote request form.