Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: City reentry team meets with UNITE INDY
UNITE INDY staffers, Jim Cotterill, Scott Whiting and Doug Evans hosted newly appointed Director of Reentry for the City of Indianapolis Winta Gebremichael (Center) and Reentry Employment Liaison Josiah Johnson (Right) to discuss the reentry space that they will be sharing at the new Marion County Criminal Justice Center. Evans, who retired from a 40 year career with Indiana Department of Correction, will be leading UNITE INDY’s efforts there, which will include training a volunteer Champion (mentor) to walk with each reentrant prior to release through Jobs for Life job preparation training, as he/she connects as a reentrant with our employer partners through SecondChanceIndy.com, and then as Indy Reentry Navigator, a phone app helps reentrants chart their own path to success.
Gebramichael is responsible for the city’s reentry activity under former Reentry Director Carlette Duffy, who is now Deputy Director of the Office of Public Health and Safety - Programs and Organization Management.
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Gun Violence Reduction Strategy Unveiled by Mayor Hogsett
The Indianapolis strategy for reducing gun violence will be taking a cue from the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), with the help of a $150 million Federal grant. Funds will be appropriated over a three year period, with $45 Million to be donated to efforts that directly help the population most impacted by gun violence, either as victims or perpetrators. Rigorous study of shooting events will be followed by outreach, "intensive life coaching," and connection to support groups that provide employment, housing and education. Law enforcement takes its part by sharing information, upholding laws and increasing safety. Read More.
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Ankle Bracelets Need to Work for Employers Too
Ankle bracelets allow a reentrant to operate only in very limited areas, at home, in the workplace, and on the prescribed roads that lead between those places. The problem is when employees have to walk 20 feet from the door to have a cigarette on a break, the device may inform police that the person should be picked up. Also there is problem with some devices not charging properly, or the charge dies before the work day ends. Law enforcement may be notified as the reentrant searches for a place to recharge their ankle bracelet. Most reentrants who wear ankle bracelets are on a path to restoration. They are working. Ian Cox, and Park 100 Foods have worked with UNITE INDY to hire almost 150 reentrants, if we want positive outcomes and lower recidivism, these human issues must be taken into account.
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Meanwhile, some good news. Ashleigh Link, Marion County Community Corrections Supervisor delivered good news this week at the Marion County Reentry Coalition (MCRC) meeting. She said the daily rate charged to reentrants for ankle bracelets has been reduced from $14 to $8 per day. Charges to the wearer may be further reduced according to income level.
NOT SO FUN FACT: In 2020, Indianapolis had more people on electronic monitoring—not just per capita but in actual numbers—than in any major city in the U.S.A. Ashleigh couldn’t confirm if that is still the case without researching the issue.
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Indiana Legislators Sponsor 36 Percent Rate Cap Bill on Pay-Day Loans
Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) and Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) have sponsored bills in the Indiana General Assembly this session that would establish a 36% maximum annual percentage rate (APR) on Pay Day and other small loans. A press conference was held Tuesday to highlight the need for these limits and to provide a chance for so many to express their support. See the press release from Hoosiers for Responsible Lending (HRL) in support of HB1159 and SB 253 and news coverage of the event. Meanwhile, Andy Zay, (R-Huntington) Chair of the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee, has filed SB 352 that would create a new high cost installment loan. Although it claims to include a 36% rate, the added $50 underwriting fee and monthly "maintenance costs" of 13%, make these loans as bad or worse than the current situation for those in need of a small installment loan, ramping up monthly fees and extending the debt trap. Hoosiers for Responsible Lending (HRL) is working closely with efforts to secure a reasonable lending climate for all. More to come! |
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Want to make prison hell on earth?
Here's how, just lock people up in 10’ x 10′ cells and leave them there to rot. Work is part of God’s plan. No one’s talking about chain gangs and rock-splitting. Those days are gone. But we’ve taken one extreme and substituted another, and neither works toward the rehabilitation of inmates. “Lack of work destroys,” says Proverbs. People who want to see lives restored know that productive work can aid the process. Here’s the future: Thoughtfully developed prison employment can provide a map for honest work, usable skills, and success after release. Read Nancy’s latest post here. |
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Indy Reentry Navigator: Bringing
Power To The People
As a reentrant, coming out of long-term incarceration, the contacts you need to handle the myriad of issues you face are your keys to successful reentry.
UNITE INDY's Reentry Navigator is being developed to provide just that: Quick connections to the people one needs for successful reentry, from a parole officer, to a drug treatment center, someone to help get a needed driver's license, or assistance with housing, finances, or just about anything a reentrant will need. Coming soon on your phone. BAM!
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Why Support UNITE INDY?
In addition to a major effort to work with the 12,000 inmates reentering our area after incarceration, we are working to improve employment in our poorest neighborhoods.
How You Can Support Jobs for Justice- Involved Individuals
3. Become a Member - Your tax deductible gift will buy either 5 Student Workbooks for a class or 10 meals for students, their mentors, and instructors to gather around a table before each class, sharing food, transforming the moment into something more unique by creating a sense of community, which strengthens the relationship building process.
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Support of Ministries and Charities:
Since 2017 UNITE INDY has provided a free web-based system at UNITEINDY.org that connects churches, ministries, and other charities to share their volunteer needs or needed items. UNITE INDY also provides the manpower necessary to assist smaller organizations—that have no one to upload needed items—the help they require to access this service. Through this portal, UNITE INDY has brought hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars worth of needed goods into the hands of those who assist the poor.
Serving the Servants:
UNITE INDY comes behind urban pastors and ministry leaders by addressing personal and professional needs with free services for those who work tirelessly in their neighborhoods to care for the needy and bereft.
Remember, almost 1 out of every 3 children in Indianapolis lives below the poverty level, yet even in the aftermath of the COVID shut down, as our economy comes back to life and employment is returning, all this good news stops at the lines surrounding many of our inner city neighborhoods. In some neighborhoods of Marion County unemployment is now 21%, and poverty remains the overwhelming divider of people.
Please donate to UNITE INDY now. There are a number of choices that are all secure and safe. By sending your fully tax deductible gift* now we can have a greater impact meeting needs in our community in 2021.
Many, many thanks!
*UNITE INDY, Inc. is approved under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3) as a Public Charity, donors can deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170.
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Corporate Partners
A big Thank YOU to our Corporate Partners for their unwavering support which makes it possible for us to provide our services at no charge to job applicants and employers!
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