Are Rehabilitation and Reentry Services Effective in Toledo, Ohio: The Invisible Bars for Returning Citizens?
Jacob Spellis | September 23 | 1:30 - 2:30 PM | Room 3010A
This workshop will present research on youth and adults returning to our community and highlighting the barriers one must overcome to maintain their freedom. This presentation will educate the audience on current work going on in the community to promote social change to assist returning citizens (formally incarcerated) overcome collateral sanctions. Typical reentry programs focus on “soft skills” and “mental toughness”. However, without the proper advocacy for returning citizens to regain back their civil rights nothing will change. Community synergy is necessary to reduce recidivism and help returning citizens overcome being a second class citizen. Finally, the presentation will highlight the struggles experienced as a convicted felon and how I overcame many significant barriers.