The community is invited to a special meeting on Tuesday, June 3, to talk about previously incarcerated individuals who are re-integrating into the community. We know that every year about 1,200 people in Montana leave prison and return to their communities. Without jobs, money, a place to live, skills, friends and family, and other support, about 40 percent will return to prison in three years. It costs us $33,000 to incarcerate one person per year.
Nearly 70 percent of the people released from prison are non-violent, non-sexual offenders. They simply must have a place to live, a place to work, and healthy relationships to become contributing members of our community.
You are invited to help develop solutions. Individuals can become trained advocates, businesses and landlords can give people a chance to work and be housed, congregations can learn how to be supportive communities, and therapists can be trained to work with previously incarcerated individuals.
Please join the local leaders who are tackling this issue by coming to the meeting June 3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks Street. We need your help.
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