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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann Collis |
State Rep. Jewell Williams |
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Give women ex-offenders the tools they need to empower change
By state Rep. Jewell Williams
Did you know that in 2004, a record 4,916,480 adult men and
women were on probation or parole in the United States? Right
now, tens of thousands of these former prisoners are knocking on
doors, asking for opportunities to establish a new life and get back on their
feet. Not only is that a critical safety issue that impacts all of us as a
community, but it is also an important indicator of where we are at in breaking
the cycle of crime.
Female offenders, in particular, face many challenges, not only while incarcerated, but during their re-entry into society and I want to call attention to them today.
Nationally, nearly 90,000 women are currently on parole and reintegrating into community life. The number of women on probation is swiftly approaching 1 million, with one in five probationers and one in seven parolees being women. Unfortunately, this trend looks unlikely to be reversed anytime soon: there has been an eight-fold increase in the number of women entering our state and federal prisons since 1980.
Pennsylvania released 1,024 women in 2004 and 2,918 were already on parole. The city of Philadelphia currently has about 561 women out on parole. In a male-oriented criminal justice system in which an increasing number of women have been looped into, we can no longer ignore the unique health care, parenting and employment issues of women. It is imperative for state and local agencies to focus on assisting women offenders and give them the tools they need to successfully reintegrate as law-abiding citizens.
Female ex-offenders are more likely to have a mental illness, drug problem or a child they must support alone. These additional obstacles can hinder the best attempt at starting a new life. Those challenges, in addition to finding housing, employment and health care, as well as adapting socially to a new network of family and friends, cannot be left to one person without support. We must find ways to better serve female ex-offenders, because existing policies, practices and legal issues are inadequate to their rehabilitation.
The pressure often leaves some women feeling overwhelmed to the point that they succumb to former behaviors of drug abuse and criminal activity. That is why I am holding Women Empowered For Change, a conference for female ex-offenders only. It will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24 at Berean Institute, 1901 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia.
A series of workshops will be held to address the challenges of re-entry for the female ex-offender, including employment, family restoration and housing. An empowerment panel will conduct an open dialogue examining the challenges of young females, and advocating for tangible solutions.
Let’s be proactive in stopping the vicious cycle of crime. Let’s show these women how they can have a better life. For more information, please call my constituent service office at 215-763-2559.
State Rep. Jewell Williams represents the 197th Legislative District in Philadelphia.
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