With nearly 1,200 individuals released from prison everyday, the issue of returning home and readjusting to society is critical in policy discussions of justice reform. On Tuesday, August 5th, John Dankosky of WNPR’s Where We Live premiered the segment “Leaving Prison and Re-entering Society,” tackling this very issue of returning from incarceration. The conversation included Laura Sullivan, an NPR investigative reporter behind the recent series “Life After ‘Life’: Aging Inmates Struggle for Redemption,” Stephen Lanza, the Executive & Clinical Director of Family ReEntry, Inc., Mike Lawlor of Connecticut’s Criminal Justice Policy & Planning Division, John Santa of the Malta Justice Imperative, and Jeff Brenneman and Greg Wells, two individuals recently released from prison. You can listen to the segment HERE.The program focused on the challenges individuals face when returning home from prison and re-entering what is often a changed society. In July, we facilitated Coming Home After Prison: A New Reality, a Salon on this same topic featuring guests Rev. Jeff Grant and LaResse Harvey. Both individuals spoke on their experiences reintegrating into their communities after periods of incarceration. Conversations at the Salon focused on concepts of prison conditions, the parole system, and over-incarceration.
What is our role as community members to ensure individuals returning from incarceration are given the resources to properly reenter society? What are the ramifications if we do not provide these resources? What are ways we can take action on prison conditions and over-incarceration? Let us know what you think!
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