NEWS
from
Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the
Association of American Colleges & Universities
Media contact:
Bart Fisher,
Associate
Director of
Marketing and Communications
(860) 832-1624;
Fisherb@ccsu.edu
CCSU Hosts Forum on State Prison Re-Entry Policy
NEW BRITAIN
(January 15, 2007) – Building Bridges III,
scheduled as a day-long examination of the
complex and sometimes controversial issues
surrounding Connecticut’s prisoner re-entry
policies will take place January 17, on the
campus of Central Connecticut State University.
The 8:30 a.m. 4 p.m. event is sponsored by
CCSU’s Institute for the Study of Crime &
Justice, the Institute for Municipal and
Regional Policy and The Governor William A.
O’Neill Endowed Chair.
Andrew Clark, Director of the ISCJ notes, “Both
the legislature and the Governor have indicated
a strong desire to focus on the issue of
effective prisoner re-entry as they approach the
upcoming legislative session. This forum will
allow policymakers, practitioners, academics,
and interested community members to engage in
meaningful discussions that will explore best
practices in the field. There is no more
important time than now to ensure a
comprehensive, evidence-based approach to any
and all criminal justice reforms."
The opening session of the forum at Alumni Hall
in the CCSU Student Center, will feature a
welcoming address by Speaker of the House James
Amann.
Among the topics to be discussed in various
panel discussions are re-entry statistics,
stories and partnerships with an emphasis on
what works and what can work. Another panel
discussion will focus on re-entry policy
recommendations.
Panel moderator Gerard Smyth, adjunct professor
in the Department of Criminology and Criminal
Justice and a member of the staff of the Gov.
William A. O’Neill Endowed Chair, commented that
“Given the recent focus on released prisoners
who re-offend, this panel will highlight the
success that can be achieved by formerly
incarcerated individuals with appropriate
supervision, resources and support in the
community.” There will also be a presentation
titled: “Crime Doesn’t Pay, A Study of Child
Support Obligors,” and a panel discussion on
current and future state level policy
initiatives.
Dr. Steven Cox, Chair of the Criminology and
Criminal Justice Department at Central will
present an overview of the Connecticut
Statistical Analysis Center’s Recidivism &
Prison Population Reports.
The keynote address will be presented Dennis
Schrantz, Deputy Director of Planning and
Community Development Administration in the
Michigan Department of Corrections. He will
discuss, best practices – supervision and
prisoner re-entry. "To add to the discussion,”
Clark said, “we are pulling in folks from
outside of Connecticut who have a real passion
and expertise in the field of prisoner-re
entry. In addition, they are coming from two
states, Michigan and New York, that have been
nationally recognized as producing desirable
outcomes: lower crime rates and fewer
individuals being sent back to prison. Although
Connecticut has had recent success with regard
to these measures, recent indicators suggest we
are now moving in the opposite direction. Our
hope is that by re-focusing on desired outcomes,
we in the criminal justice community will ensure
that this does not become a long-term trend."
Forum attendees will also hear from individuals
who have successfully returned to society from
incarceration and from people who have worked in
or been part of virtually every phase of the
criminal justice system as it relates to
re-entry. Representative Michael Lawlor,
Senator Martin Looney, Senator John Kissel,
Brian Austin of the Office of Policy and
Management will take part on the policy
recommendations panel which also includes Glenn
Martin of the Fortune Society of New York and
Mary Anne O’Neill of the Governor’s office.
Clark will moderate the discussion.
The event, which takes place in Alumni Hall is
open to the public. Free Parking is available
in CCSU surface lots and garages.
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