NC Department of Corrections Holds Annual Conference

Shaping the Future of Transition

By Elaine Whitefield

The North Carolina Department of Corrections recently held it’s annual conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville, NC.

The theme of the conference was “Shaping the Future of Transition”. Workshop presenters shared numerous studies which indicate that assistance with housing, transportation, substance addiction treatment, mentoring and many other community support services would increase the likelihood of successful re-entry significantly.



NCDOC,
in this landmark event, launched a re-entry strategy, which will shape
a new future for people returning home from prison or jail and for the
communities receiving them. Plans and systems under construction
emphasize effective interface with community service provider
organizations, churches, and other interested citizens to create
successful outcomes.


Formerly
incarcerated persons shared stories of their struggles to gain help to
make a new life for themselves. At the core of their stories ran the
theme that it is extremely difficult to pick up the pieces of their
lives alone. Much needed help came in the form of friends, families,
community support groups, probation officers and other people like
themselves who had transitioned successfully.


Conference
participants repeatedly said that networking such as occurred at the
conference was key to moving forward with developing strong
relationships between NCDOC and community partners.


The highlight of
the conference was a play written and performed by Ashley Lucas. The
play focused on the impact of incarceration on families, friends and
loved ones left behind on the outside. Ashley developed her play from
live interviews she conducted over several years. Members of the
audience were often moved to tears. Ashley also included quotes from
inmates. The one they most often shared was that the loss of connection
with the outside “felt like death”.


With the efforts
of NCDOC now added to the efforts of community groups, families,
friends and other individuals to help those returning from prison and
jail take their lives in positive directions, the future of transition
and re-entry has a new voice and a brighter future.


For more information on NCDOC’s Re-Entry and Transition Initiative, please contact Roshanna Parker at (919) 716-3098.


Elaine Whitefield can be reached at
Inside Out Together (919) 528-4099 or [email protected]