Nationwide Movement Works to Keep Ex-Inmates out of Prison

April 26-28: Ariz. Out4Life Prisoner Re-Entry Conference Examines Ways to Maximize Public Safety and Stretch Corrections Dollars

PHOENIX, April 26, 2010—Arizona has more than 144,000 men and women under correctional supervision¹. Additionally, the state's prison system costs taxpayers more than $951 million annually.¹  Like it or not, 95 percent of offenders will eventually be released back into your neighborhoods, and two-thirds will be re-arrested within three years for a new crime or for violating the terms of their release²-a public safety and financial crisis.

April 26-28 in Phoenix, Prison Fellowship-the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families-in partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections will launch Out4Life, a re-entry movement bringing together members of Arizona's government, businesses, social services and faith communities to tackle the state's re-entry crisis.  The goal is to establish local coalitions-in areas including Phoenix, Glendale, Maryvale, Avondale, Buckeye, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Casa Grande, Florence, Coolidge and Tucson-to help released prisoners find steady jobs, adequate housing, substance-abuse treatment and supportive relationships that keep them on the right track.  Aiding released prisoners is necessary because not only is the revolving door of crime a threat to public safety, but it results in an increasing burden on each and every taxpayer in Arizona.  

¹ Pew Center on the States; Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009

² Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2010

WHO:  Prison Fellowship, the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families, in partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections

WHAT:  Launch of the Arizona Out4Life re-Entry movement to tackle prisoner re-entry issues; featuring workshops on topics such as employment for ex-offenders, addiction treatment, public safety, family issues, special needs of women prisoners and the importance of establishing re-entry networks

WHEN:  April 26-28

WHERE:  Desert Willow Conference Center - 4340 East Cotton Center Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85040  (602) 431-0001

REGISTER:       Visit Out4Life.com or call 877-478-0100.  All Out4Life attendees may participate in a marketplace exhibit center with booths and displays about their re-entry support services and assistance 

DETAILS:         Schedule

INTERVIEWS:

• Arizona ex-offender Natividad Mendoza, a former Fresno gang leaders who spent time in 11 prisons; now runs an org. that helps former gang members find jobs.  (See Natividad's story on the History Channel's Gangland - starting at 3:41)
• Arizona ex-offender Dijuahn Robinson who served 14 years for various robbery and assault charges; now pastor of St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Glendale, Ariz.
• Arizona ex-offender Fred Creasy who served nearly 8 years for fraudulent schemes and theft
• Patricia Powlis who currently mentors women who are 12-18 months from release
• Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan
• Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Penny Willrich (retired)
• Prison Fellowship Arizona Executive Director William Anderson
• Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley
• Other ex-offenders, mentors and more