City of Savannah creates new task force to help formerly incarcerated community members | WJCL
SAVANNAH, Ga. —
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson’s newest task force is focusing on welcoming those who have previously been in prison back into the Savannah community and helping them become productive members of society.
It’s called Advocates for Restorative Communities in Savannah , better known as ARCS.
This re-entry task force is something that’s been in the works for quite a while now and it’s finally coming to life in Savannah. The goal of it all is to give those who have previously been in prison a second chance.
“In 2018 it was reported that over a half a million people in Georgia are behind bars in any of our institutions, state, local, our juvenile institutions or under criminal justice supervision. That’s about a fifth of Georgia’s population,” Georgia Southern Criminal Justice professor, Dr. Maxine Bryant said.
According to the Georgia Center for Opportunity, the recidivism rate is about 50% in the state of Georgia, when you take into account the number of people who commit a technical violation while on probation and parole along with those who recidivate after the standard three year time period.
I know this will be a much needed life line to those men and women who are committed to making their second chance at life a productive one. I too just returned home from prison, and although this task force was not available, my personal task force (i.e. family and community support) helped to make my reintegration process smooth and successful.
My name is Felicia Thomas I’ve been incarcerated for 17 years and 8 months. I’m currently staying at Dismas Charity. My home confinement date was April 22nd. I start school at Savannah Technical College June 1st 2021. I have surgery on June 18th 2021, which will not hinder my schooling just my ability to work. I had cancer and lost both my breast. I have to leave the halfway house my time has expired. I have no place to go. I don’t want to go back to prison. I am currently waiting on disability. I’m in need of housing. Will you please help me?