The United States Department of Justice has designated April 24 - 30, 2016 as National Reentry Week. Major steps have been taken to make the criminal justice system just, fair, and effective at reducing recidivism. In recognition of National Reentry Week, the Macon Reentry Coalition (MRC), a local nonprofit that connects returning citizens to resources, will host free events open to the public in Macon, Georgia.
“Supporting successful reentry is an essential part of our mission to promote public safety," Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated. “If we can reduce recidivism by helping individuals return to productive, law-abiding lives, we will reduce crime across this country, make our prisons safer, and make our neighborhoods better places to live."
“The successful assimilation of returning citizens back into our communities, with new skills and attitudes, is beneficial both to the communities and to the returning citizens," Acting United States Attorney G.F. Peterman, III commented. “I am proud of the ongoing participation of my office in this initiative."
An official proclamation by Mayor Robert Reichert designating National Reentry Week in Macon-Bibb County will be held Thursday, April 21 at City Hall in Downtown Macon at 11 a.m.
“We have the people and resources right here in Middle Georgia to help returning citizens get back on the right track and be successful," said Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert. “Our entire community will benefit from people getting back to work and having a reduction in the crime rate."
On Wednesday, April 27, the Macon Reentry Coalition meeting and resource fair will be held at the Goodwill Helms Career Center located at 240 Broadway. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with a community resource fair immediately following. Local representatives from education, housing, counseling, health, veteran services and employment agencies will answer questions and assist in making referrals. Light refreshments will be available.
“Macon-Bibb and the Middle Georgia region contain vast and critical resources to help ensure the successful reintegration of our returning citizens," Macon Reentry Coalition CEO Todd Robinson noted. “Many of these men and women are talented, hard-working individuals that just need counsel and direction. Since 2008, the Macon Reentry Coalition has brought resources together to help reentrants become productive citizens who can support their families. Stronger families equates to a safer community."
The Bureau of Prisons will be coordinating reentry events at their facilities across the country during National Reentry Week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office plans to host private reentry events in the district as well.
Questions regarding National Reentry Week or the Macon Reentry Coalition can be directed to Brittney Kish Lightsey, Community Relations Assistant, at 478-621-2735 or Brittney.Kish-Lightsey@usdoj.gov.
The Macon Reentry Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local agencies, mentors and advocates, faith-based and philanthropic organizations, and community resource partners to empower returning citizens.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
