Don't miss making a difference in the lives of ex-offenders at the Re-entry Resource Fair
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
One single question which, depending on the answer, dictates whether you’ll get a job, apartment, or financial assistance. One answer that automatically makes everything harder, even when it’s been years, sometimes decades since you were convicted.
It’s been my privilege to partner with the Big Bend After Re-entry Coalition that connects our returning citizens and neighbors with the re-entry resources they need to successfully move on with their lives.
On Saturday November 18, at the Leverne F. Payne Community Center, the Public Defender’s Office, BBARC, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office will host the Fall Re-entry and Resource Fair. Like so many of us know who work with justice impacted individuals and their families – they are so much more than the label society places on them. Our office is dedicated to assisting our clients and their families with employment opportunities, affordable housing, educational courses and anything they need to successfully return home. The Re-entry Resource Fair will be a great opportunity to bring all of our community partners into one space to help support our clients and neighbors.
As the conversation continues around public safety and crime, one thing is clear – when people can find jobs and housing after incarceration, they have a significantly lower risk of reoffending. When awarded a second chance, they are much more likely to successfully complete probation, pay their court costs and fines, and move on with their lives. The negative connotation and degrading labels attached to our clients only ensures that society continues to see them as less than, instead of acknowledging that they’ve paid their debt to society and are trying to move forward.
Instead of automatically putting their application in the “no” pile, I encourage our local businesses and employers to give returning citizens an opportunity to interview. Economic research confirms that hiring formerly incarcerated people is a smart business decision, given the high costs associated with turnover and recruitment, as returning citizens are loyal and reliable employees. Additionally, the Center for Workforce Inclusion recently found that post-release employment programs significantly decrease the rate of re-arrest. Specifically, participants in employment programs were found to be half as likely to return to prison at both six months and one-year checks, when compared to average recidivism rates. Numerous studies have confirmed what we all know - employing more people with prior criminal history reduces recidivism and increases public safety.
Our office and BBARC supports the work of organizations like ReFire Culinary, Joseph House, Career Force and many others that consistently assist and encourage our returning neighbors and prove that employment and housing leads to reduction in crime.
Please join us on November 18 as we provide a safe and welcoming space for re-entry resources. Help us continue to connect our clients and their families with the opportunities they need to move past their prior conviction. And most importantly, let’s be the community that practices what we preach – that everyone deserves a second chance.
Jessica Yeary is the public defender for the 2nd Judicial Circuit.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Make a difference for ex-offenders at the Re-entry Resource Fair
