People are by nature a social beings while social exclusion is the opposite term which is also the topic of this thesis. The first part of the paper discusses the meaning of the phrase social exclusion, which is presented as a complex and ambiguous phenomenon that is difficult to define precisely. After the introductory part, the second discusses a specific group of socially excluded persons, specifically (former) prisoners. The focus is on activities during the sentence and imprisonment as they are a group at risk of social exclusion. The paper describes the process of preparation and assistance for the release of prisoners and explains the purposes and goals of punishment as well as methods and programs of work with prisoners. After the mentioned preparation for release, there is a release from prison, to which the term post-penal protection is related, which refers to the protection of prisoners after serving their sentences. Within post-penal protection, probation is mentioned, which includes the supervision of a former prisoner, with the aim of preventing the re-commission of crimes and the protection of the social community. The emphasis here is on the cooperation of many institutions, which will also be highlighted in the paper. All these activities have one common goal - to resocialize and socially reintegrate socially excluded people, including (former) prisoners, who are at the center of this work, into the community.