With incarceration rates reaching a staggering 1 in 100 Americans and crime on the rise throughout the Commonwealth, successful re-entry for prisoners has become a focal point for the Department of Correction and Massachusetts residents. It is clear that we cannot incarcerate our crime problem; the strategy needs to shift to prevention and cost reduction.

Listen to Cell Block to City Block Hearing: Part 1: (1:09:38) Part 2: (1:07:23)

Read Hearing Transcripts: Part 1 (pdf) (202 k) Part 2 (pdf) (217 k)

WHAT: This hearing will allow prisoners, the formerly incarcerated, and organizations who serve them to express their concerns, needs and proposals to the Commissioner of Correction Harold Clarke, Governor Deval Patrick, and several members of the Massachusetts Legislature (the panel) regarding our current prison policies and their impact on Public Safety.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:30 to 8:30pm

WHERE: St. Paul’s Cathedral, 138 Tremont Street, Boston

WHO: Commissioner of Correction Harold Clarke and several legislators including, Robert Deleo, Kay Khan, Patricia Jehlen, will be present to hear the communities’ proposals. Governor Patrick has been invited to serve on the panel. Presenters include the ACLU, Mel King, The Real Cost of Prisons, and, most importantly, those who have experienced incarceration and re-entry first hand.

WHY: The Commissioner has a re-entry plan in the works which he will propose on December 5th, 2008. A person’s successful transition from prison to home is critical to the health and safety of our communities. The Commonwealth’s Commissioner of the Department of Correction has made re-entry a focal point of his administration. For a re-entry plan to be successful, however, policies and practices administered during the entire period of incarceration must be brought into alignment with transition policies.

This event has already occurred.