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

PHOENIX, April 6, 2010—More than 85,000 ex-prisoners are on probation or parole and living in Arizona neighborhoods.¹  Another 21,000 Arizona prisoners will be released this year.²  More than half of released prisoners will return to prison within three years.³ 

April 26-28, hundreds of Arizona government, faith and community leaders will gather at Out4Life Arizona to discuss reducing recidivism and the $951 million in taxes spent yearly on corrections in the state of Arizona.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.  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 Arizona Out4Life re-entry movement to tackle prisoner re-entry issues

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

• Arizona Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan
• Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Penny Willrich (retired)
• Prison Fellowship Arizona Executive Director Bill Anderson
• Prison Fellowship President and former Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley
• Arizona 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:  April 26-28

WHERE:  Desert Willow Conference Center
              4340 East Cotton Center Boulevard
              Phoenix, AZ 85040
              602.431.0001

DETAILS:  Schedule

OPEN TOTHE 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

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¹ Pew Center on the States

² Arizona Department of Corrections

³ Bureau of Justice Statistics

 

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