Minn. Prisoner Re-Entry Movement Aims to Help Ex-Inmates Become Productive Citizens

MINNEAPOLIS, April 26, 2010— More than 152,000 ex-prisoners are on probation or parole and living in Minnesota neighborhoods.¹  Another 7,000 Minnesota state prisoners will be released this year.²  More than half of released prisoners will return to prison within three years.³ 

May 17-19, hundreds of Minnesota government, faith and community leaders will gather at Out4Life Minnesota to discuss reducing recidivism and the $460 million in taxes spent yearly on corrections in the state of Minnesota.¹  Successful re-entry is the answer according to Out4Life organizers, which include Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.  Out4Life will address the keys to ex-prisoners' successful re-entry including the ability to find jobs, locate housing, obtain needed social services and mentors.  

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WHAT:  Launch of the Minnesota Out4Life re-entry movement to tackle prisoner re-entry issues

WHO:  In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-will host Out4Life Minnesota.  The launch event will feature speakers including:

• Minn. Department of Corrections Director of Behavioral Health Steve Allen
• Minn. Department of Corrections Research Manager Commissioner Dr. Grant Duwe
• Minn. Department of Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian
• Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley
• Prison Fellowship Vice President for Re-entry Initiatives Norm Cox
• Justice Center for Research director & crime, law and justice professor at The Pennsylvania State University Dr. Doris Layton MacKenzie
• Minn. ex-offenders who have turned from a life of crime and become productive employees, mothers, fathers and neighbors since their release from prison

Workshops will delve into topics such as employment, housing, education, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of veteran and women prisoners, and the importance of establishing re-entry networks.

WHEN:  May 17-19

WHERE:  Sheraton Bloomington Hotel / Conference Center
             7800 Normandale Blvd.
             Minneapolis, MN 55439
             (952) 835-7800

DETAILS:  Schedule

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Any organization or individual who would like to work together to address practical barriers to prisoner re-entry and offer strategies to reduce prisoner recidivism is invited to attend.  All attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance.

REGISTER:  www.Out4Life.com

¹ Pew Center on the States
² Minnesota Department of Corrections (# does not include federal prisoners to be released)
³ Bureau of Justice Statistics

 

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