Re-entry — Social and Economic Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

What Happens When Prison 'Lifers' Get a Chance at Healing and Redemption?

“When Cruz was just 4 or 5, his father was murdered, leaving his mother to raise him and his three sisters. With few outlets to help him cope with his trauma, Cruz said he channeled his pain and anger into the “criminal gang mentality.” Gangs provided a semblance of camaraderie and social support, and they dealt with issues using violence, a language fluent to Cruz. When Cruz wanted something, he was taught to take it. He admitted he was irresponsible, impulsive, and selfish—not exactly unusual behavior for a teenager. But in his neighborhood, it happened to be much easier to get a gun than it was to get help.“

The Appeal

December 3, 2019

Re-entry, PersonalismPhillip ReevesDecember 3, 2019The Appeal, Restorative JusticeComment

How To Give Incarcerated People A Real Second Chance

“Completing a postsecondary degree or credential while incarcerated can have a major impact on a person’s trajectory post-release. Research has already shown those who participate in postsecondary programs have a lower rate of recidivism. Other studies have found that correctional education improved the chances of finding employment by 13%.“

Forbes

November 8, 2019

Employment, Re-entryPhillip ReevesNovember 8, 2019ForbesComment

Why I changed my mind on having second chances at life after prison

““I am no specialist on criminal justice, and my own instincts, based partly on close personal connections to several murder victims over the course of my lifetime, lean towards the hard line on matters of violent crime in particular. But something I saw in a high security District of Columbia Correctional Facility nonetheless had a major impact on my outlook.

The Hill

November 5, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesNovember 5, 2019The HillComment

Life After Prison for Women Who Served Decades Behind Bars

“Sara Bennett’s first book of photography, “Spirit on the Inside,” doubles as a collection of character evidence. Published in 2013, it portrays women who, years after being released from the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, in New York, still treasure memories of their fellow-inmate Judith Clark, a getaway driver in the Brink’s robbery, in 1981, in Rockland County, which left two police officers and one security guard dead. At the time of the book’s publication, Clark, a former member of the Weather Underground, was serving seventy-five years to life.“

New York Magazine

October 22, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesOctober 22, 2019New York Magazine, Sara Bennett, Spirit on the InsideComment

The Trouble with Reentry: Five Takeaways from Working with People Returning to Chicago from Prison

“Following herein are some of JHA’s real-world observations made in the process of accompanying and, at times, endeavoring to assist people as they attempted to access critical reentry supports, resources and services following their release from prison. These five key takeaways are based on our on the ground experience navigating reentry programs and opportunities with these young men shortly after their release from prison. This list is in no way comprehensive or exhaustive. Rather, it highlights just some of the more immediate, pressing needs and problems that the young men whom JHA met as they left prison experienced during their first few months after leaving prison.”

John Howard Association

October 9, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesOctober 9, 2019John Howard Association, ChicagoComment

Opinion: A conservative case for expunging criminal records

“Criminal justice issues center around what to do with those people. Society and elected officials wrestle with how to make rules that are fair, just and workable. The difficulty is in figuring out the best way to protect the innocent, punish the guilty and integrate people back into society after they’ve paid the fine or done the time. For all the seemingly intense and divisive debates about politics, lawmakers, groups and individuals across the political spectrum are in agreement on some of the most significant and important reforms in the criminal justice system. The latest reform deals with expunging criminal records.“

The Detroit News

September 30, 2019

Social Issues, Re-entryPhillip ReevesSeptember 30, 2019Detroit News, Michigan, DetroitComment

Convicted of a Deadly Crime as a Teen, He Worked for Decades to Get a Second Chance at Life

“Despite his rejections, Rivera never gave up. At 16, he entered prison illiterate. By the time he left, he was working toward a bachelor’s degree in sociology through Bard College’s prison initiative program.“

The Appeal

September 16, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesSeptember 16, 2019The AppealComment

Formerly incarcerated people are building their own businesses and giving others second chances

“Rather than face the prospect of looking for another job, he decided to create his own business. Pulling together his savings, Figueroa launched a home renovation company in 2014. He promised himself that he would employ others with criminal records, offering them opportunities he never had. “We all have done something we regret,” he says. He decided to name his company Second Chance Renovations.“

American Bar Association Journal

July 1, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesJuly 1, 2019American Bar Association JournalComment

How I ‘Jump-Started’ My Life After Prison

“Long prison terms do little to achieve those important goals. Instead, they too often extinguish hope and frustrate efforts made by countless people to turn their lives around and return to their communities to give something back. I can do much more to change the lives of the next generation in my community, acting as a mentor, than locked up behind bars. And there are many others, just like me, sitting in prison and waiting for their second chance. It’s long past time we reach out a helping hand and bring them home.“

The Crime Report

April 30, 2019

Re-entryPhillip ReevesApril 30, 2019The Crime ReportComment

Social and Economic Issues

Galsworthy CJR Program

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