The month of November started off with a two day gathering of those in the reentry profession that have a major impact on those being released from prison: parole officers and social workers. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office put together a conference that drew over 200 participants.
Addressing the group of reentry professionals was District Attorney Charles Hynes, who has worked in that position for over 20 years. Hynes created Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together ComALERT) in 1999 as a way to help former inmates returning to their communities obtain help finding a job, or getting treatment for substance abuse issues.. GED courses are also offered, as well as other support services.
Recognizing the difficult time convicted felons have in obtaining employment, the acting commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Sean Byrne told the gathered parole officers and social workers “Nearly all offenders will eventually go free, and we must lessen that an offender will re-offend. So their unemployment problem is our unemployment problem.”
Part of the two day conference included viewing The Castle, a Fortune Society production in which four previously incarcerated persons narrated their own stories about prison.
Attending the workshops helped participants learn how to motivate their clients to succeed. And successful reentry means the less likelihood of recidivism. Dismissing critics who believe ComALERT is no more than a “hug a thug” initiative, Hynes counters with the fact that if you reduce felons, you also reduce victims.
To learn more about ComAlert please visit their website Click here to go to website
Source: Narrative NYC
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