Lauren Winner, assistant professor of Christian spirituality at the divinity school, said society assumes inmates are different from other people. But teaching at the prison reminded her of the essential equality of all human beings.
"We're all marked by sin," she said. "And some are incarcerated."
"Even though Janet Taylor's childhood in North Carolina was far from ideal, she never dreamed that her life would get so bad that a jail cell would feel like home to her." http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/vod/bc54
The Michigan prisoner re-entry initiative (MPRI) has decreased the rate of parolees going back to prison from 55% to 38%. The legislation and a sluggish economy — which has forced states such as Kansas, Michigan and Tennessee to shutter prisons and increase the ranks of offenders on parole or probation — have injected a new urgency into efforts to end the costly careers of habitual offenders.To read this article and watch the video, follow this link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-06-21-reentry_N.htm
Broken and broke after two years in prison, Burke had little reason to be optimistic about her future. Then her 7-year-old son held out something in his hand. "I was thinking you might need this," he said. For two years, he'd slept with Burke's driver's license under his pillow. Burke realized in that moment that her children and others in her life believed in her against all odds.
Their faith - and Burke's own drive - led her on a odyssey from a felony fraud conviction to representing clients for the Orange County Public Defender's Office
Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/06/01/509931/ex-con-mom-beatsodds-gets-law.html#ixzz0pe93bIA8
This is an effort that is being led by the Greenville Chief of Police, William Anderson ,as a Crime Prevention stradegy in the City of Greenville. Watch the video on wcnt.com.
Gov. Bev Perdue announced the StreetSafe Task Force, an initiative designed to reduce the number of ex-offenders who commit crimes after their release from prison.
The Triangle Tribute, Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Triangle Tribute covers CSI's Fifth Anniversary Event
http://www.dailyadvance.com, Wednesday, February 11, 2009
"While most communities are eager to lock up those who commit crimes, few are prepared for the day when those same lawbreakers complete their prison sentences and return home."
The News & Observer, Saturday, December 20, 2008
"Former inmates have little help staying on track and avoiding offending again"
The Triangle Tribune, October 7, 2008
The Triangle Tribune has a writeup on CSI's recent Statewide Reentry Summit and Conversation
Dennis Gaddy appeared to discuss criminal justice and CSI on UNCTV's Black Issues Forum
Download a PDF of the feature on Community Success Initiative in the NC Justice Center's Community Newsletter. To view the entire newsletter, go to the NC Justice Center's website.
NBC17.com, Tuesday, April 1, 2008
"Ex-convicts looking to make a change after their time behind bars are getting help by others through monthly outreach and support meetings sponsored by Community Success Initiative." Link to Article
The Triangle Tribute, Sunday, April 30, 2006
"Ex-felons who live in the Triangle have a place to go to find support and services after they are released from prison. Dennis Gaddy is the executive director of the Community Success Initiative the helps ex-offenders transition back into mainstream society..." Link to Article