More than 6,000 criminals leave prison and try to re-start their lives in Hampden County each year. But before they rejoin society, they need help.

On Thursday, the State Secretary of Public Safety talked about the importance of re-entry programs at the Western Mass Correctional Alcohol Center in Springfield. It's one of several re-entry programs run by the Sheriff's department. "We are talking today about partnerships between state agencies like the Department of Corrections, Sheriff's department and benefiting from Sheriff Ashe's model so we can develop a plan for re-entry," explained Secretary of Public Safety Kevin Burke.

Recidivism, or relapsing into criminal activity, is a cycle officials want to end, in order to makes the streets safer. Sheriff Ashe says Hampden County is on the right track. "79% of people that come out of the Western Mass Correctional Center, do not come back. And 98% complete the program," said Sheriff Ashe.

Instead of going from behind the prison walls straight to the streets, these programs transition ex-cons back into the community. "Fundamental elements like housing, employment and healthcare are important. If all those pieces are in place when someone is discharged, the likelihood of success is dramatic," said Burke.

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