"I believe it is time for the Department of Corrections to re-visit the conditions of release in Minnesota," says Otis Zanders, president and CEO of Ujamaa Place in Saint Paul.
The high rate of those returning to prison often involves being unable to find employment, missing parole meetings, inability to secure housing, or other aspects after serving their terms in the correctional system.
"We need to prepare local communities for men coming out of the correctional system," says Zanders. "They have put in their time, they deserve a second chance, but they face serious hurdles trying to find a position in a difficult economic climate."
Ujamaa Place and Better Futures have formed a collaboration of individuals from the Minnesota Justice and correctional systems to address the revocation process. The Saint Paul Foundation has written a grant to assist in the process. The immediate goal is to reduce the number of revocations in Ramsey County by 10 percent.
"We need to re-visit the arrest records, study the demographics of African American men in corrections, and ultimately make changes to the process," continues Zanders. "We need to help those who struggle with these problems."
Zanders praised the effort and example of Judge George T. Stephenson, judge of district court in Ramsey County, who meets bi-weekly with paroles in his court. It is called the "Men's Group." He's been doing it over ten years, trying to help those find a way through the system.
Save the Date: Transforming Men’s Lives Breakfast, Thursday October 13.
For more information please check out our website at www.ujamaaplace.org(651) 528-8006
1885 University Avenue, Suite 355 Saint Paul, MN 55104
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