There are 700 fewer prisoners in the state's corrections system than there were two years ago, but that doesn't make the stigma attached to being an ex-con any less difficult. A Missouri Supreme Court justice said the state's new approach to preventing repeat offenders is working.

However, its very difficult for those who have served time to return to the community. That's why a new program aimed at simulating that reentry has been created for community.

"97 percent of people in Missouri that we send to prison come home," program instructor Steve Tatlow said.

The program coordinators say the past can't be erased, but community members need to be more understanding of what the released prisoners went through.

"I always thought the hardest thing about going to prison is not serving your time, it's when you come out and have to go to a future employer and say great we would really like to hire you Mr. Smith, can you explain why you have a two year gap in your work history?'' Dierks said.

When released from prison a lot of offenders don't know where to go or who to turn to.

"You don't see people in prison at their best state. What are you seeing? You're seeing someone whose tired, scared, and agitated. What do you do?" program participant Robert Dierks said.

A bulletin board for community members is used to present some of the challenging situations the prisoners have been through. One situation says they had no one to go to, while another says they had no friend or family to help. And the two biggest problems offenders face is not having a job and not having a place to live.

This training network walks community members through a simulation of what it's like to start a new life after prison. Members of the community are actually put in situations and are able to experience how difficult it is to let them make those decisions by presenting them with limited options.

"Someone will read a statement and you have to make those decisions as to everyone of those questions," participant Allen McCarter said. "You actually go through about 15 questions which is almost a life experience."

The training helps walk the community through what life is like after prison and what they can do to make the transition easier.