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Re-entry, Education

2011-09-28T01:01:29Z

I am posting this article cut from todays paper so that people can actually see what effect lack of training can have on those returning to society with little or no preparation.

Not a word has been changed other than I left the pictures out to save space but if you read past articles you will find we begged for training and the opportunity to help.

Killer who spent 25 years behind bars burns down house... because he wanted to go back to prison

By Hannah Roberts

Last updated at 9:28 PM on 26th September 2011

A convicted murderer who spent more than 25 years behind bars burned down a house because he couldn’t cope with life in the real world- and wanted to go back to jail.

Randall Lee Church, who was released from Bexar County Jail in Texas in April after years of incarceration, said he found the outside world had moved on without him.

The 46-year-old has pleaded guilty to arson and is going back to the Texas prison where he served 26 years for a fatal stabbing.

Back inside: Convicted killer Randall Lee Church burned down an abandoned building to ensure his return to jail as he coudln't cope with modern life

Nostalgic: Church served 26 years for murder in Bexar County Jail, Texas (pictured)

Church said that he found freedom ‘overwhelming’. He added: ‘ I was constantly embarrassed by simple things I just didn't know.'

'I didn't know how to use computers or cell phones or the Internet,' Church said. “The weirdest thing was walking into a store, like Walmart, and have parents hide their children from me, like I was supposed to jump at them.'

More...Prisoners forced to give 40% of pay to victims under new law‎

'Everything had gone fast forward without me.

Church was only 18 when he was sentenced for killing James Alfred Michael in a brawl over money. He still denies it was murder and says he acted in self-defence.

Fellow inmates had warned Church he was in for a shock on the outside, but he didn't believe them. Days after he was released, he realized they'd been right.

Eventually, three months after his release, the former inmate poured gasoline through a window of the empty house then threw in flaming rags and paper towels, setting the place on fire. Setting the fire 'was my Fourth of July', Church said.

'I didn't tell anyone it was me,' he said. 'It was my ticket to go back (to prison) if I wanted. I know it was wrong, and I am sorry for it now.'

Three days later, he turned himself in.

He should have sought more counseling or looked for a rehabilitation centre, he said.

Uncomfortable change: Church said he was constantly embarrassed by simple things he didn't know about the real world

Many former inmates struggle to re-enter society. And more than four out of 10 adult offenders nationwide return to state prisons within three years of their release, studies show.

Ann L. Jacobs, director of the Prisoner Reentry Institute at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice told the San Antonio Express: 'I don't mean to diminish what this man did.' said But when you think about what people come out to, how much the world has changed, what a disadvantage they are at and what little support they generally have, it is kind of a miracle it goes as well as it does for as many people as it does.'

Studies indicate the United States has the highest proportion of its population locked up, its offenders tending to serve some of the lengthiest sentences in the world.

But looming budget cuts could hinder this progress in giving inmates 'the tools to live responsibly,' said Ana Yáñez-Correa, director of the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

'While people are in prison, they need to be given vocational programs and counseling and cognitive thinking programming, so that when they get out, they can support their families,' she said.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042065/Everything-gone-fast-forward-Overwhelmed-inmate-wanted-return-prison-burns-house.html#ixzz1ZCgkuWD9

Re-entry, Education

2011-09-09T04:44:58Z

For those of you who have followed this blog over a period of time I apologize for lack of posting’s lately but I was involved in a horrible auto accident a few months ago and it took not only it’s physical toil but a mental one as well. To top it off I have always felt that having lived in the worse federal prisons this country has to offer for an extended (25 years) period of time that there was nothing which could cause me to break but believe me going to physical therapy is like consigning yourself to Attila the Hun or some other torturer. I cry every Sunday night in anticipation of Monday, again on Tuesday for Wednesday’s sessions, and again on Thursday for Friday. I mean this from a guy who has been beaten by sadistic prison guards and lived in the woods while on escape without food for days without shedding a tear. The moral is if hurt heal thyself for therapist are evil people by nature

Enough of that for I’m sure there are those of you who have dealt with much worse. My sympathy goes out to you.

During my convalescence I have watched and read the news as never before and it puzzles me as to how they can continue to allow the unemployment rolls to grow and say on the other hand they want to really reduce the recidivist rates. It appears as if the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. An old cliché but true none the less. Its time America recognizes the prison industry for what it is, a private industry where prison laborers are paid slave wages while incarcerated and then released with few if any skills and nothing to certify he/she is qualified to actually compete and especially with competition being what it is today. How can there be a real expectation that one will not recidivate or at the very least become re-involved in doing what he/she knows to do best? Crime! As in the past I repeat “no-one leaves prison with the thought of returning in six months or a year” but realistically what are the odds of success without employment? Yes, more parole and probation officers are hired and ex-offenders end up homeless for those who really try and stay out but for those who do go back to the street they are eventually re-arrested for more serious crimes. The general thought is that since one is an ex-offender and going back for a really extended period of time why not take that chance and go for it? You might get away.

On the other hand isn’t it time the governments began to understand that college courses don’t teach how to deal with people returning to society and their problems? One way would be to ask those being released what their real needs are and finding ways to provide just that until one learns the necessary skills to survive on the street and be a real productive citizen?

Unless something is done soon we will have as many prisons as we do schools and since those convicted of crimes have no voting rights in most states who will contest the real wrongs? The legal enslavement of the underserved population.

Layout

2011-05-17T05:38:00Z

Sorry for the delay. The layout is one from Godaddy...College students did the actual work.

Education, Recidivism

2011-05-17T05:23:00Z

It appears as if attention is now being given to the problems of re-entry and recidivism. Recently the NAACP posted a paper, “Misplaced Priorities: Over Incarcerate, Under Educate, which at the very least address some of the problems systemically destroying our communities. Persons are being released from prisons five days a week with the expectation they will be well received and afforded the opportunity to be productive citizens. A myth or lie? Who knows? The truth is that once released the cycle begins.

He/she has to struggle to find a place to stay. The requirement that one must find employment adds additional stress and especially since nothing has been done while in prison to educate or prepare one for re-entry the same problems faced prior to prison have multiplied themselves. Now comes the real struggle, trying to be a part of a real family that is strange to all concerned, especially for those having served long sentences when neither knows the other. Truth be told there aren’t any jobs for ex-offenders. For those black it’s even worse. The competition is overwhelming! It used to be “last hired, first fired”, now they just don’t hire and can use the excuse of the economy to justify. What if while in prison one was afforded an opportunity to obtain a real education or those not interested in school were given a trade or taught entrepreneurial skills then our recidivism rate would reverse itself. Isn’t it time we go back to rehabilitation? History has shown our prisons didn’t begin to explode until draconian laws were implemented extending sentences for those convicted of minor drug crimes. Is it any surprise our prisons are overflowing while our schools are little more than detention centers?

Keep in mind that "if a man isn't given a way to make a living he will take a living".

Let’s ask that the money be spent on providing real services.

Education

2011-04-21T02:32:00Z

Thanks for your comment. We need to come together and ask the powers that be "where are the jobs"?

Unposted comments

2011-04-17T20:03:10Z

Thanks to all who comment on this blog however the blog receives many responses which appear to me to be spam. If your comment isn't posted please know that I read all but exercise caution with posting.

Thanks to all however for your thoughts.

What can we do to make a difference to those returning to our communities?

2011-02-23T19:47:00Z

Often I am asked what can I do to help? It would appear that many want to make a difference but don't know Whats really needed. I am listing a few of the problems that should be addressed.

First we must identify the problems most face upon release and find ways to eliminate them.

Create long-term employment and housing opportunities:

Future reentry efforts should emphasize not only short-term transitional needs, but also long-term employment and housing opportunities, particularly in the areas of independent living skills training, job skills training (including trade skills and formal education), and the formation of a community housing partnership in order to provide suitable housing with permanency options.

Extend the Length of Reentry Interventions:

To maximize the benefits that might be derived from a reentry program, the intervention should begin at least six months prior to an offender’s release and continue for at least the same amount of time, but preferably longer (12 months), after his or her release from prison. Extending the duration of the program is consistent not only with the literature regarding effective prisoner reentry, but also with the concept of providing a continuum of care for offenders as they transition from the institution to the community.

Expand Social Support Involvement:

Given the apparent importance of social support individuals in helping offenders make a successful transition, future reentry efforts should focus on identifying and strengthening offenders’ ties to social support individuals prior to their release from prison.

Implement Clear Communication Expectations:

Reentry efforts should concentrate on the dissemination of pertinent information to all interested parties, including core partners, stakeholders, participants, and their social support individuals.

Provide Leadership:

To foster accountability and direction, programs should designate an individual responsible for the overall operations of the project.

Develop Clear Expectations for Roles and Responsibilities:

To clarify responsibilities and expected outcomes, formal contracts should be developed with all service providers.

Develop Service Protocols:

Reentry leadership should develop procedures that create a uniform distribution of services and resources.
Much of this I have culled from other sources, to numerous to list but the message is the same where ever you go

New York article by STEVEN GREENHOUSE

2011-01-31T01:04:00Z

On January 24,2011 Steven Greenhouse published in the New York Times an article identifying some of the problems ex-offenders know to be fact. He mentions the monies released by congress to aid the successful re-entry of ex-offenders. Overall an extremely thought provoking article which begs questions as to how and where the dollars go/went and what are the results.

Personally I think the governments often with the best of intentions releases money that helps everyone with the exception of the ex-offender. Read my blog,The New Inequalities. When preparing for release from prison offenders began doing all they can to prepare for a successful re-entry. They attend all the classes, talk to all the people coming into the prison who tell them they can/will assist them upon release. He/She envisions returning to society having paid their debt and putting all they have learned into action. Reuniting the family comes first but before that can become a reality they must find employment. Many have attended college and obtained a degree or certificate while incarcerated. The dream is "I made a mistake, paid my debt and can now be treated as the average citizen." This is where the dream becomes a NIGHTMARE.

Upon release he/she begins to make the rounds to all those who get paid to help. First among them, the parole officer who lays out all the things you must do and not do in order to not be violated and returned to prison. Next comes the family and arranging a place to stay. The family is skeptical because although the love might be there, they are dealing with their personal problems. They want to help but our country's present financial crisis has touched every level of society.They often can't do more than offer a temporary place to stay.

Knowing finding employment is a real priority, he/she takes diploma and certificates in hand and begins the rounds dealing with rejection unbowed, at every turn being told they aren't hiring. The family is asking "what are you going to do?" The pressures build and one begins to wonder "where is that second chance we hear so much about?" Does one have to be a star athlete or wealthy for society to really give a second chance? Many didn't have the first chance.

Why doesn't society turn to the real professionals, those who have been there and know what it takes first hand to survive and not return to prison? Why can't those same dollars used to hire parole officers, correctional officers and build prisons be utilized to provide employment opportunities for the parolees? Who teaches individuals the life skills necessary to deal with a totally new set of mores? Why is it that the monies continue to be given to those organizations who have received it for the past twenty (20) years with no measurable success? Where is the accountability and when will it change?

Education

2010-04-06T19:33:00Z

Sometimes it seems as if the powers that be want things to remain as they are. Has anyone ever given thought to what life could/would be if inmates/offenders were properly trained while incarcerated as opposed to just returning them to society with only a criminal history? Some of our citizens are being convicted of crimes imprisoned and returned from prison to deal with the same problems they were faced with prior to going. The difference is that now they have a criminal history, still no formal training regardless to what they may have done while incarcerated.

Would it not be much better if we could find ways to train our offenders, give some sort of certification for their clerical abilities cooking and janitorial skills obtained. Some in the state of Minnesota are trained to rebuild computers and furniture. With all the monies being put into our communities can we not find ways to provide real re-entry?

The New Inequalities

2010-03-01T15:45:00Z

I recently attended a conference (The New Inequalities) describing some of the causes of incarceration. I was extremely impressed with the presentations for it seemed as if each I heard had a real grasp on the realities many are faced with. One, Bruce Western, was particularly sharp for he identified not only some of the problems dealt with but possible solutions.

My question is we know many of these things already so what are the next steps? When will offenders began receiving the necessary education and training to find or create employment opportunities once released from prison? Most released have done some type of work while incarcerated. When will certifications be awarded showing the work done while incarcerated? Especially since we know what it takes to cook in the officers mess or to be a clerk anywhere in prison. You must be the best of the best. What about those janitorial positions? Who strips floors better? The plumbers, carpenters, electricians who provide the infrastructure that hold most prisons together. With these specialized skills they can’t find employment once released.

Since there Is no union for ex-offenders what can be done to bring awareness to the plight one faces upon release? How can the ex-offender find viable employment doing what he/she knows to do without returning to a life of crime or prison? Are ex-offenders released just to provide employment for parole/probation officers and other service providers who only wait to document the fact that another has returned to prison?

Are these Inequalities Really New?

What are the NEXT STEPS?

Supreme Court Decisions

2010-01-26T14:32:00Z

As we examine the recent Supreme Court Decisions we question what effect this will have on the most underserved population. Since most ex-offenders have little if any money, own no businesses,struggle to find employment and a place to live the decision that cooperate america can now fund our politicians insures that more prisons are on the horizon.

On the other hand it means that those who are incarcerated or recently released should find ways to obtain the necessary training to survive for with the job market being what it is the competition is stiffer.

Re-entry, Recidivism

2009-12-17T03:14:00Z

Derek,

Thanks for visiting our site and in response to your question; "prisons are a business that provide employment to large numbers of people. They employ inmate labor to produce materials which is then sold to the public at reduced prices since they are able to pay inmates a pittance for their labor." Please read the 13th amendment

Amendment XIII (1865)

Section 1.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

Now let's take into consideration that for every offender released back into society several service providers are needed. For everyone returned to prison the courts and other legal services are needed.so once there the cycle begins anew.

What's really needed is a way to reduce the recidivist rate.

Re-entry

2009-12-14T21:17:55Z

Prisoner re-entry is a process under the best of circumstances and our country is now in enduring the worse climate known to any who might be re-entering society from prisons. Your questions prompt much thought for many are being released without proper skills to navigate the system once free. The challenges mentioned are real and long lasting and in todays political climate ex-offenders should be prepared to face and overcome obstacles. The path is long and arduous. I would first suggest that before release from prison an effort be made to find resources in the community to help build resumes and teach the soft skills necessary to survive upon release. The most important is that one has to know that competition is stiff in todays job market and prepare himself/herself educationally prior to leaving prison and if released prior to obtaioning the necessary skills, one must take advantange of all programs who promote themselves as being ex-offender friendly

Re-Entry is an interesting concept. How does one establish or re-establish life after release when there are job challenges (no work record, poor educational background, loaded questions on applications and the recession), educational barriers such as no financial aid if a drug conviction, no family ties or families so financial strapped that help is virtually impossible. How does one change their life once they have a felony conviction. Most importantly, how do they survive and not turn back to what looks like the only door available - their old life? My son is trying to stay positive, is there help?

Re-entry, Recidividism,

2009-12-09T01:08:00Z

Many returning from prisons to society generally lack the proper education and training to be successful. It is up to us to find ways to provide the necessary tools for them to survive. We imprison and release with the expectation that since one has been confined behaviors have changed. Some have and some haven't but when one returns to society he/she needs housing, clothing,employment and a support system. If he/she hasn't been given tools then how can society reasonable expect one to live a life differently than lived previously.

Welcome

2009-12-06T16:25:00Z

Thanks Charles for logging in. Feel free to send the site out to all your friends and associates who might have an interest in ex-offenders.

Welcome

2009-11-29T01:15:29Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.