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After 36 Years in Prison, This Philadelphian Has a Model for Criminal Justice Reform

Tom Dallessio

March 31, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lack of education was the downfall of one Philadelphia man who spent 36 years in prison, and education proved to be his redemption when he discovered he could do well in coursework. He got a college degree and helped bring the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program to the prison where he was incarcerated. He continues to work with the program, which matches prisoners with college students and professors to help them gain the skills they need, and also fosters more compassion and understanding for those incarcerated.

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What selling drugs taught him about running a supermarket

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 20, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A former drug dealer who made massive amounts of cash finds his skills adapt well to the job he found after prison in a supermarket. Luckily the manager at this particular store recognized that fact and gave Louis Rivera a chance when we begged for a job right after his release. It was difficult for Rivera to adjust to making so much less money, but he has applied his business skills to move up into management and tries to help others following in his footsteps.

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Reentry Think Tank wants returning citizens designing reentry services

Tony Abraham

March 09, 2017 |

Generocity |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Reentry Think Tank in Philadelphia brings a badly needed component to the world of services helping inmates reintegrate back into society: The experiences of actual former inmates. The nonprofit created fellowships for those coming back from prison and it has joined with the larger Philadelphia Reentry Coalition to make sure these voices are at the table with policy makers. They're working on a list of policy suggestions called the People's Bill of Rights in a model they want to see replicated across other social services.

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Now he slings ice cream, instead of cocaine; ShopRite finds talent in former drug dealers

Jane M. Von Bergen

March 07, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Most employers might not hire former inmates, but one grocery store in Philadelphia is looking to do just that. Brown Store’s Inc. has made it a company mission to hire people out of prison. Employment is an important factor to keep former inmates from returning to prison.

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Small Town, Big Success With Reentry Program

Johnny Magdaleno

March 06, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New Castle, Pennsylvania

Jail-to-Jobs, a program with one employee, has helped more than 260 formerly incarcerated people find full-time jobs. Created by a district attorney who saw former felons struggling to be considered for openings, the program links local companies with insurance and support in order to promote hiring.

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'To focus on young adults who are in prison is very cutting edge'

Mark Pazniokas

March 05, 2017 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Connecticut

The state of Connecticut is partnering with the Vera Institute of Justice to creating a new model of incarceration for young people ages 18 to 25. That state has created four integration centers to help inmates transition back to the community and opened a unit for young male prisoners who are mentored by those serving life sentences. They engage in circle-based conversations daily to promote communication and curtail conflict within the correctional center.

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Philadelphia Reentry Coalition wants to solve for the 'severe lack of data on returning citizens'

Tony Abraham

February 21, 2017 |

Generocity |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Two, separate coalitions in Philadelphia, whose aim is to lower recidivism rates, joined into one. Aviva Tevah, the director of the coalition, will have to merge the vision and goals of the 80 plus members. “We set new targets, a new organizational structure and focused on what it would look like to build the infrastructure for deeper collaboration in the future.”

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Mothers in Charge grads exchange prison uniforms for caps and gowns

Maya Earls

February 18, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Tribune |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A program in Philadelphia works with formerly incarcerated women for an intensive 10-week period where they focus on life skills and changing thought patterns. Women get support and mentoring to examine how they wound up in prison, such as addressing past abuse that undermined their self-esteem. They go through a formal graduation program and learn ways to face challenges as they work to change their lives.

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Even in Texas, Mass Imprisonment Is Going Out of Style

Tina Rosenberg

February 14, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Texas

In Texas, Mass-Incarceration is becoming a surprising hub of bi-partisan reform. By finding common ground, and brainstorming new solutions and alternatives to mass incarceration, the state has seen a drop in incarceration and crime rates.

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Could this one simple idea stop the revolving door to prison?

Samantha Melamed

February 14, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, “500 men and about 10 women juvenile lifers who have been locked away for decades” will be released due to a recent Supreme Court decision that said it was unconstitutional for judges to strike automatic life-without-parole sentence for juveniles. Unfortunately, recidivism rates show that “ 60 percent of people are locked up again within three years of being released.” However, pairing a former prisoner with a mentor is an old school solution that has been proven to be successful. Studies show “participants who had mentors were twice as likely to find jobs and 39 percent less likely to reci

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