By Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (Mich.)- It’s not everyday that prisoners meet with the warden, especially to hear good news. However, more than a dozen ex-offenders received a pep talk from Director of Michigan Department of Corrections warden Patricia Caruso.
“Regardless of how you came to be in these chairs today, I wish you all the best,” said Caruso to nearly two dozen ex-offenders who attended an employment class at Michigan Works. “Coming out of prison, looking for a job, it’s not an easy road, but I sincerely hope the best for you.”
Then talk was part of a recent day-long visit Caruso took as part of the Michigan Prison ReEntry Initiative (MPRI) efforts in Kalamazoo. During the visit Caruso visited parole offices, Michigan Works, and KPEP to see efforts made by the community to help ex-offenders obtain work and other needs in their communities.
“When a parolee has hope that their criminal past will not deter their ability to get a job, or a place to live for their family, their self esteem rises,” said Milton Wells, Community Coordinator of MPRI. Wells said the success of MPRI is vital as nearly 70 percent of those incarcerated have children in our communities.
“We have to realize that when someone is incarcerated their children fall victim to their crime as well,” Wells said. “We have to break the cycle.”
In 2006, the Kalamazoo County Plan for MPRI was approved by the Michigan Department of Corrections, and an award of $625,000 was provided to begin the program. Those assisting in the mission include: Department of Human Services/SCOPE (Securing Children’s Opportunities Possibilities and Empowerment); Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Community Mental Health, Kalamazoo Health and Community Services, Kalamazoo YWCA, Family Health Center, Kalamazoo Public Safety and the Kalamazoo Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
During the session with Caruso and Michigan Works employment specialists, ex-offenders too were able to share their concerns for reentering into society and the challenges they have.
“It might help if we could get references from our supervisors on our jobs in prison when we get out,” said one man.
Caruso said it would be a challenge to provide reference letters to those being released considering there is no way to track when or where those references are being sent, in addition to other logistics.
Fred Harvey of Michigan Works is case manager and liaison for employment of MPRI clients. He said since the program began in Kalamazoo in 2006, Michigan Works has played a role in helping prepare ex-offenders for employment even before they leave prison and return to their communities. They offer group sessions before and after prison to allow ex-offenders an outlet to share any concerns they may have in seeking work.
Harvey said since 2006 hundreds (of ex-offenders) have come through Michigan Works through MPRI for everything from resume and cover letter assistance to job search techniques and computer training on their Michigan Talent Bank system. He said in the past many employers sought to provide jobs to ex-offenders as they realized the difficulties of securing a job with a felony record.
“They may still only qualify for low-level jobs, but they are willing to find a job and help their families,” Harvey said.
Today however, Harvey said seeking a job for those without criminal records is challenging and now even more so as the unemployment rate continues to climb high in Michigan. In addition, 14 Michigan prison facilities have closed in the past few years, releasing more ex-offenders earlier.
In the meantime MPRI continues to work towards its vision to provide every parolee released from prison with the tools needed to succeed in the community. As Caruso left parolees attending an employment class at Michigan Works, she gave them some advise.
“I wish you the best of luck and hope you take advantages of the resources of (MPRI),” Caruso said. Try to change your future…your children will be better for it.”
