Officials tout events to help returning prisoners

April 17, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Two upcoming events will help people returning from prison to get good jobs as well as access to other kinds of help.

At a news conference in city council chambers Thursday, officials touted the upcoming Hope Conference from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 13 in Kilcawley center at Youngstown State University.

Former Warren G. Harding and Ohio State football star Maurice Clarett will talk about his life experiences after he got out of prison. Also speaking will be YSU president and Clarett’s coach at Ohio State, Jim Tressel.

The event will bring together several social-service agencies that will assist those who are returning from prison get adjusted to a new life.

“As we help them and give them hope, they will also pour back into the community,” said Rosie Taylor, president of ACTION and also a board member for Home For Good.

Mary Ann Kochalko, chief operating officer of the Mahoning and Columbiana Counties One Stop, said events such as the Hope Conference are needed because a large number of people who use One Stop have criminal records.

“This is so important for us because we deal with this issue every day,” Kochalko said.

Guy Burney, head of the city’s Community Initiative to Reduce Violence, also said he was excited about another event set for 10 a.m. April 25 at First Presbyterian Church on Wood Street for people who want to take advantage of the Certificate of Qualification for Employment program.

Under the program, people with criminal records will meet with trained personnel to assist them in getting employment in fields where they may have been banned because of their convictions. Joann Sahl, a professor at the University of Akron law school, said those who use the program must be out of prison for one year for felony convictions or six months for misdemeanor convictions.

Sahl said the program has been in place for 18 months after it was approved by the state Legislature. She said it is important because 1 in 6 residents of the state has a criminal conviction.

“With the impact of this new law, we can reach more people,” Sahl said.

Cryshanna Jackson, an associate professor in the YSU Department of Political Science and International Studies, said some of her students will receive training to help those who will use the program at the April 25 session.

Police Chief Robin Lees said he likes the programs because anything that can cut down on people reoffending and going back to prison makes the job of the police department easier.

“We’re busy enough. We don’t need repeat offenders,” Lees said.