By Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
Poll social workers, case managers, defense lawyers, crisis center workers, employment agency specialists across the country and many will tell you one of the hardest parts of their jobs are helping clients with criminal or priosn records find gainful employment.
As a former case manager myself, I found thst out 22 clients, 16 had criminal records or were transitioning into my program directly from prison or the County jail.
Helping them find employment that would enable them to actualyl pay rent, buy food and pay for transportation to and from work was almost impossible when 5 out of 7 employers refused to hire anyone with a criminal record or ex-convicts.
It's was one of the leading causes for the high recidivism rate in our prison system.
Earnest Townes, Memphis resident, and founder of "Shifting Gears" is praising the Memphis City Council's decision to get rid of job applications requiring criminal history, a move Townes says is a "huge step" in helping ex-convicts stay out of prison and in the community.
In Shelby County 81 percent of criminals return to prison versus staying out and becoming contributing members of their community.
A lack of employment and other healthy options is one reason why, said Townes, adding that according to the statistics, if 81 percent are returning to prison, that leaves only 19 percent possibly making it on the outside.
"So, what is the problem?" Townes asked.
"We need to dialogue, it's not all about employment. We have too many of our kids falling into what I call generational crime. I myself being an ex-felon, I've been out for 25 years and for 25 years I think I have done quite well for the community," Townes told myeyewitnessnews.com
Townes' program, "Shifting Gears," helps juvenile offenders and their parents. On Friday, Townes held a meeting at Christian Brothers University called “The Keys Turn Twice .. Is The Sentence Ever Done?" He and other organization leaders talked about things they can do to get laws changed.
He also wants to remind people that maintanance of a prisoner, including their education, rehabilitation needs, food and other things are funneled from the tax payers dollar.
He says it's about time you start getting more for your money and start caring about what happens to transitioning ex-convicts and others who have experienced trouble with the law. Not enough people are opening their doors or giving ex-cons a second chance, Townes says.
If you're an ex-con looking for help or know someone who is, below is a list of Shelby County organizations that can help you:
* Hopeworks, Inc. (901) 272-3700
* Urban Family Ministries, CDC (901) 323-8400
* Living Legacy
* Families of Incarcerated Individuals (901) 726-6191
* Karat Place Transitional Housing for Women (901) 525-4055
* Life Transformation Center First Steps Ministries Transitional Housing for Men (901) 388-LIFE
* Trinity Outreach Center Transitional Housing for Men and Women (901) 786-1220
* Transitions Halfway Ministries (901) 414-9267
The Black Urban Times
Poll social workers, case managers, defense lawyers, crisis center workers, employment agency specialists across the country and many will tell you one of the hardest parts of their jobs are helping clients with criminal or priosn records find gainful employment.
As a former case manager myself, I found thst out 22 clients, 16 had criminal records or were transitioning into my program directly from prison or the County jail.
Helping them find employment that would enable them to actualyl pay rent, buy food and pay for transportation to and from work was almost impossible when 5 out of 7 employers refused to hire anyone with a criminal record or ex-convicts.
It's was one of the leading causes for the high recidivism rate in our prison system.
Earnest Townes, Memphis resident, and founder of "Shifting Gears" is praising the Memphis City Council's decision to get rid of job applications requiring criminal history, a move Townes says is a "huge step" in helping ex-convicts stay out of prison and in the community.
In Shelby County 81 percent of criminals return to prison versus staying out and becoming contributing members of their community.
A lack of employment and other healthy options is one reason why, said Townes, adding that according to the statistics, if 81 percent are returning to prison, that leaves only 19 percent possibly making it on the outside.
"So, what is the problem?" Townes asked.
"We need to dialogue, it's not all about employment. We have too many of our kids falling into what I call generational crime. I myself being an ex-felon, I've been out for 25 years and for 25 years I think I have done quite well for the community," Townes told myeyewitnessnews.com
Townes' program, "Shifting Gears," helps juvenile offenders and their parents. On Friday, Townes held a meeting at Christian Brothers University called “The Keys Turn Twice .. Is The Sentence Ever Done?" He and other organization leaders talked about things they can do to get laws changed.
He also wants to remind people that maintanance of a prisoner, including their education, rehabilitation needs, food and other things are funneled from the tax payers dollar.
He says it's about time you start getting more for your money and start caring about what happens to transitioning ex-convicts and others who have experienced trouble with the law. Not enough people are opening their doors or giving ex-cons a second chance, Townes says.
If you're an ex-con looking for help or know someone who is, below is a list of Shelby County organizations that can help you:
* Hopeworks, Inc. (901) 272-3700
* Urban Family Ministries, CDC (901) 323-8400
* Living Legacy
* Families of Incarcerated Individuals (901) 726-6191
* Karat Place Transitional Housing for Women (901) 525-4055
* Life Transformation Center First Steps Ministries Transitional Housing for Men (901) 388-LIFE
* Trinity Outreach Center Transitional Housing for Men and Women (901) 786-1220
* Transitions Halfway Ministries (901) 414-9267
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