2023 ACA Philadelphia Program Book_153rd Congress of Correction

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

2–3:30 P.M.

C-3A Beyond the Walls: Pre-Release Hiring Track: Reentry Room 201-A This workshop will explore the importance of pre-release hiring for those exiting the criminal justice system. It will explain how to have the conversation at the right time in the right way regarding hiring those in need of employment leaving the prison system. Felony convictions have long been seen as a barrier to employment, however, as the prison systems have shifted to a Rehabilitation, Educational and Reentry oriented focus across the nation the returning citizens released from our prison systems are some of the most highly skilled and dedicated workers in the labor pool. The Texas Prison system has worked to engage employers by educating them on the trades, skills and post-release support systems that are provided once an inmate is released from prison. Learning Objectives: • Participants will learn how to bridge the gaps and bring all the Departments on board. This initiative takes buy-in from the top of every functional area. • Participants will be able to learn how to engage employers on what clients released from the prison system have to offer their companies. • Participants will learn how to engage employers on the importance of hiring or offering jobs prior to release and how to bring employers into facilities for job fairs in a structured manner for positive outcomes. Moderator: Sherri Cogbill , Deputy Director of Reentry and Integration, TDCJ-Texas, Huntsville, Texas Speakers: Kristina Hartman , Ed.S., District Windham School, Huntsville, Texas; Andrea Lozada , Warden, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Gatesville, Texas; April

WORKSHOPS

Saturday, Aug. 12 ▼ 2–3:30 p.m.

Zamora , M.Ed., L.C.D.C, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Austin, Texas

C-3B Reentry Resources: Pathways of Reintegration For Returning Citizens Track: Reentry Room 201-B Not knowing where and how to access available resources or communities of support is a barrier for the average citizen returning home. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has established a solution that bridges the gap between resource availability and resource accessibility. The Community Reentry Network is a growing database of faith-based organizations from around the country developed (accessibility via bop.gov) to provide returning citizens, families and community stakeholders, access to an interactive map and searchable criteria comprised of 24 reentry needs to include: housing, employment, education, clothing, healthcare, transportation, substance abuse, case management, veteran support, food, Sex offender, legal, mentoring and more Learning Objectives: • Demonstrate increased awareness of the types of problems that accompany returning citizens when they are not aware of all the resources accessible to them to help

ACA 153 rd Congress of Correction | Philadelphia — 131