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Former prisoners offer advice to new leader of Philly effort to help ex-inmates

Aaron Moselle

January 10, 2017 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program launched in Philadelphia to help inmates reintegrate into the community has hit some stumbling blocks and the new executive director is turning to experts to help fix things: former inmates. She is convening people who came through RISE to hear how the program can do better and truly meet the needs of people coming out of prison. They want to see more connections to jobs, more of a human touch from RISE officials and more outreach to current inmates to get them ready to use RISE services.

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After the Pain, a Chance to Meet and Forgive

Timothy Williams

January 03, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Topeka, Kansas

A program in Kansas facilitates meetings between the survivors of those killed and the people who brought this pain into their world. This article delves into just one of these stories to explore how a couple reconciles with the man who got drunk, stole a truck and killed their son in a horrific crash. It looks at the impact on the perpetrator as well and how this meeting helped him understand the full scope of what he did so he could get sober and start healing.

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New court aims to redefine young adult justice in Chicago

Nissa Rhee

December 24, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago plans to open a community court for young adult offenders that focuses on rehabilitative services and community support, giving them a chance to make reparations to victims and avoid a criminal record that can jeopardize opportunities for the rest of their lives. Part 3 of 3.

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In Baltimore, ex-cons and drug dealers work to make streets safer

Matt Helms

December 16, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Safe Streets, a program run by the city’s Health Department, has lowered fatal shootings in Baltimore’s neighbourhood of Park Heights by hiring local ex-cons to defuse volatile situations before guns are drawn.

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Meth series: Family drug courts fight rising tide of meth-fueled child abuse and neglect

Kathleen J. Bryan

December 13, 2016 |

The Montana Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Montana

Montana saw the rise of child abuse and neglect cases due to parental substance abuse, particularly with those using methamphetamine. Family drug courts are reversing this trend due to a more holistic approach striving for permanency through rewards and sanctions program, frequent testing, and treatment.

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Why this program for ex-offenders is working better in rural areas

Emily Previti

December 05, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Rates of recidivism in Pennsylvania have dropped substantially in recent years. Part of this decrease is due to the efforts of the Union County Justice Bridge Housing Program, which assists ex-offenders with housing. Other counties across the state are trying to replicate this success, yet face geographic and socioeconomic barriers.

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Hard time software: Why these prisoners learn computer coding

Ann Scott Tyson

November 28, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Quentin, California

The USA has one of the highest rates of incarceration, and reoffending is a likely outcome after prison. 'The Last Mile' and similar programs are providing inmates with the opportunity to learn marketable skills and earn degrees while in prison, and then find jobs once their sentence is finished, in order to decrease the likelihood of reoffending.

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Legal advocate helps workers under shadow of criminal records

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 20, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia enacted a law in 2016 that allows for people convicted of minor crimes to get their records sealed by a court. In this article an employment lawyer who has worked for many years with people who have records talks about why it's extremely difficult for people to reintegrate into a community and get a job with even a minor conviction in their past. The shift has garnered support across political lines as people begin to realize the economic and other costs to society when people can't work and end up back in prison.

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If you have a criminal record, read this

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 19, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A law in Philadelphia allows people with certain misdemeanor convictions to ask a court to seal their records. This means job seekers could honestly tell prospective employers they have no criminal record and schools and landlords would not see the records either. However, law enforcement and district attorneys would still have access to the records so if a person is rearrested their history could be taken into account in setting bail or in sentencing.

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Job seekers with criminal histories thankful for expungement clinic

Aaron Moselle

November 12, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

An expungement clinic in Philadelphia allows some with criminal charges in their past to start the process of having those sealed from public view by a judge. The workshops follow the passage of Act 5, a new state law that provides an additional path to expungement besides just a pardon from the governor. Many are hopeful the process will make it easier for people with issues in their past to get jobs and become independent citizens, although there are strict guidelines in the law on who can seek expungement.

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