The popular Muskegon Community College “…And Justice for All” series continues on Monday, Nov. 26, when a panel discussion on “Life after Incarceration” takes place from 6-8 p.m. in Stevenson Center Room 1100. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
“Each year, over 1,000 people are sentenced to incarceration into Muskegon County jail or prisons,” noted Eli Fox, MCC’s Manager of Student Success and Veterans Affairs, citing Michigan Department of Corrections statistics. “The vast majority of these people will be released back into the community, some within a year, and others after many years behind bars. What does this community reentry mean for people formerly incarcerated, and for the community as a whole?”
Panelists include Nate Johnson, the reentry director for Fresh Coast Reentry (formerly 70×7 Muskegon), along with staff members and graduates of the program, MCC students, law enforcement officials, and victims’ advocacy representatives. MCC Instructor Nicholas Budimir will moderate the discussion.
“Our country has done a good job of locking up more people than any other country,” explains Budimir. “Mounting data and research point to the growing costs of these policies. Most convicted under this system will reenter society, often with significant barriers to rejoining the mainstream.”
“Fresh Coast Alliance, based in Muskegon, is one of many local organizations that reaches out to those ready to return by offering job training, recovery support and mentoring. Join us to explore the challenges, opportunities and solutions experienced by those making the transition back to society.”
For more information on the event, contact the MCC Social Sciences Office at (231) 777-0380.