Parolees Get Dressed For Success

With more than 3,000 parolees reentering Detroit each year, Pastor Ronald Griffin of Rose of Sharon
Church of God in Christ wanted to do his part to help those former prisoners who want to help themselves.

Working with the Wayne County Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative (MPRI), Travelers Aid of Detroit and
Detroit Police Department, they contacted Hot Sam's Clothier co-owner Tony Stoval to see if he would participate in a reentry program to help those that are trying to stay out of the criminal justice system. Together, they created an event that would inspire and empower parolees to stay on the straight path, while giving them a gift of a beginning wardrobe to help prepare them for job interviews. On Monday, December 11, 20 parolees participating in reintegration programs and MPRI case management services will participate in an empowerment event and job fair with employers, policy leaders and community resource providers.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 7 million adults, or 3% of the U.S. population, were incarcerated or on probation or parole at the end of 2005; and 95% of prisoners re-enter society at some point. "I have a number of ex-offenders in my Church. I know a new way of life is possible for them, I have seen the transformation. I believe the community has an absolute responsibility to help assimilate these men and women back into the community. This is not a one-time event for me, I will support reentry over the long- term," says Pastor Griffin, who donated $2,000 to help purchase new clothing, at a discount.

"With new clothing, we are setting a higher standard for them, I don't want them wearing anything I wouldn't wear myself." Employers and entrepreneurs, two of whom are former prisoners, will address and inspire the participants. Local policy makers who are committed to reentry success and employment will also address the participants. Employers will conduct on-site interviews.

The 20 parolees, who have been dedicated to fulfilling their reentry plans, will be dressed by Hot Sam's. "We are the store that cares. As a business owner, I can make decisions, and my business partner, (Cliff G. Green) and I decided we should give these men a second chance and help set a higher standard for them. We have to do our part and set an example that I hope will be followed, not only by the ex-offenders, but also by other business owners," said Stoval.

Tamela Aikens, Coordinator of the Wayne County MPRI, says, "Former prisoners have always been coming back to the community; MPRI is a structured program to help set them up for success. All research shows that former prisoners with jobs commit fewer crimes than former prisoners without jobs. At the core of MPRI is the belief that ex-offenders possess the capacity to transform their lives as they work to achieve self-sufficiency and strive to enter the workforce."

The mission of the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative is to reduce crime by implementing a seamless, comprehensive plan of services and supervision developed with each offender and delivered through state and local collaboration with government agencies, community organizations and private sector businesses, from the time of their entry to prison through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.

SOURCE Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative