MyTimeToBlog
I attended a virtual conference for Sheriff Crawford's 14th Annual Re-Entry Forum. I watched it in the gymnasium. I'm with pen, and paper, ready to learn who I need to write to get home. That's where my mind was: showing who I am today. I say that, because when I entered the gym, only eighteen men attended--eighteen men. I shook my head, because the number should be more.
The men that were there were respectful. They chatted quietly in small circles, but when Mrs. Sims arrived (she organized the event), they found their seats. She had her assistance set up the computer, then the giant screen came alive before us.
I'm engaged instantly, especially when Dr. Harold Sales started us off in prayer. That was followed by Attorney General Miyares To me, he stole the show. Why? His outlook on second chances. He shared his visiting Wallen Ridge, and Red Onion (supermax prisons) to speak with the men. Nobody else spoke of entering a prison to speak with us. His name went to my list of who I needed to write.
Now my reason for being there to begin with was Andre Norman and Keidrain Brewster. I've discovered them from the books they written, and the Day 1 Podcast on Jpay. They're formerly incarcerated men who became successful in society, and ventured back into prisons to help men like me. Hearing what they had to say was a must.
Mr. Brewster revealed that his biggest reminder of being successful was his brother's death. He realized how he influenced his 17-year-old brother to follow his lead. That crushed him, but at the same time motivated him to be more than his worst--and he did.
Now Mr. Norman followed up with his supercharged energy, and how it's about us: correction officer and incarcerated. We work together, in collaboration to make those coming out better, rehabilitated, and reformed.
I also have to mention Mayor Brown. He invited those with second chances to move to Petersburg (where he resides as mayor). He promised a job, and a place to live, even going so far as to offer his phone number. That was incredible.
What also remained with me was Chadwick Dotson. He spoke about the recidivism rate. How low it was, and how we should focus on the success stories. That bothered me, due in part to the number of men who walked out of prison and never returned. As this bounced around my head, I realized we had formerly incarcerated guest speakers, from out of state. Maybe the recidivism rate is low because Virginia is very slow in releasing people from Prison.
I'm in Virginia, and nobody that walked out of a prison from in this state, spoke. How can there be success without one of them speaking? Even as great as Mr. Brewster, and Mr. Norman were, they weren't from Virginia. I know a few successful individuals that were behind these walls in Virginia. Maybe this could encourage more of us that freedom and success are obtainable if the people who spent time in the very prison I reside in were on the big screen. Or is this an underlying message that Virginia's Legislatures are not connected with the individuals who made it out the gritty prison system that became successful once released. Maybe, myself and others can be one the few next time. Just give me my chance.
Now when the forum ended, the eighteen men I arrived with had a roundtable discussion on what we witnessed. It grabbed me, because we recognized that what we seen motivated us. How? By realizing we need to come together and build up our community (prison). Mrs. Sims listened, and responded that she would take what we spoke on to her boss.
In truth the issue was the number of men in attendance. I see the impact by how engaged they were. Nobody was being immature. They wanted to learn how to earn their second chance. That's why they were there, now if the prison would've showed the forum on the prison's movie stations, more men would've had our energy when we departed.
Even so, thanks to attending the virtual forum, I know who the Attorney General is, Secretary of Commonwealth is, Petersburg's Mayor, and that Sheriff Crawford cares about returning citizens. Three wonderful hours of my day spent there, plus I now know eighteen men that have purpose, presence, and matter. Secretary of Commonwealth Kelly Gee never said it so eloquently. So what is your take on rehabilitation and second chances and how can you help?