ATHENS, W.Va. (LOOTPRESS) – “Overcoming Barriers to Reentry & Reintegration Post Incarceration,” a reentry simulation event will be held at Concord University on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
The Concord University Sociology Department and the WV Reentry Councils are sponsoring the event.Beverly Sharp, Director of the WV Reentry Councils, along with Ashley Lough from the United States Attorneys’ Offices will facilitate the simulations.
Two sessions will be held in the Ballroom located on the 3rd floor of the Jean & Jerry L. Beasley Student Center. The morning session will take place from 10 a.m. to noonand an afternoon session will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There are 30 slots for participants at each session.
This simulation is a glimpse into what it is like to be released from the correctional system and the barriers formerly incarcerated people face with jobs, family, housing and supervision restrictions. Participants will be given bios and tasks to complete in this interactive experience intended to increase awareness.
It is estimated that 95 percent exit prison/jail and return home, often without adequate support and resources to help them experience successful transition to society, according to the WV Center on Budget & Policy (WVCBP State of Reentry and Barriers 2021.) The National Inventor of Collateral Consequences of Conviction reports that in the state of West Virginia, there are 851 collateral consequences (barriers) to criminal conviction and 1900 at the federal level.
These simulations are open to Concord students, faculty and staff as well as members of the local Reentry Councils and the community. Please contact lpace@concord.edu to register.
Volunteers from Reentry Councils and other professionals are invited to participate as well. These individuals may email lpace@concord.edu for additional information.