Corrective System Can Back Ex-cons Against the Wall

Recognizing that sometimes it’s our very corrective system that backs ex-convicts “against the wall,” Hamilton County reentry director Deanna Hoskins is in the process of piloting a community-based solution she’s introduced with success in other states.

As an example of the barriers the system can erect, Deanna notes a judge may order someone to see a probation officer and provide urine screens twice a week to ensure the convicted isn’t using drugs or alcohol. Meanwhile, the judge also recommends the convicted gain employment.

Deanna Hoskins

“Therefore a person will get employment but they have to report twice a week, they have to do these urine screens.

“So the employer is trying to make money with an employee who is always having to take off to do these commitments for the criminal justice system,” says Deanna, noting it’s no wonder employers become reluctant to hire people under any kind of supervision.

Since she joined the Hamilton County office in March, Deanna has been putting in place an initiative to connect “improbable” parts of the community, including ex-offenders, prosecutors and community members, to begin to talk to one another.

A key discussion point is these reentry barriers ex-cons face.

Sub-committees have now been formed, with those engaged deciding what group they want to serve on.

The goal is to start holding community forums in different neighbourhoods, providing education and opportunities to get involved to reduce these obstacles for ex-cons.

While she doesn’t call what she does Appreciative Inquiry, Deanna says some of its principles are certainly evident in her work, from the engagement of improbable connections to inviting the whole system to co-create an action plan for going forward.

Through a connection with Dr. Victor Garcia, a key lead on the CoreChange effort, Deanna is seeing value in connecting her work with this citywide gathering, or at least providing insights and connections from her own experiences.

“Dr. Garcia is saying this is exactly what we want to do on a much larger scale with the whole county,” she notes.

Deanna says the openness from the CoreChange team to discuss “the pink elephant in the room,” particularly the part the criminal justice system plays in fostering the blight of the urban core is a key strength she sees with this effort.

It’s no surprise she also sees real power in the CoreChange effort’s “improbable” connection principle, and, related to this, giving voice to all, including ex-cons in the conversation about the transformation of their community.

“I get really excited when we do those improbable conversations because people the (ex-cons) never thought would be willing to hear their story are (listening),” she notes, pointing out some of these young men are now speaking at schools, and encouraging those coming up behind them to take another path than what they have.

“It really has empowered them to want to do more for the community.”

Providing the space and invitation to work as a unified body, as the CoreChange effort does, also holds promise, Deanna suggests.

“I think people don’t realize how powerful they are in groups,” she says.

To learn more about CoreChange, including the Feb. 17-19 city-wide summit, and how you can get involved, visit this link. You can also follow the @corechangecincy and @cincysummit Twitter accounts, as well as like CoreChange on Facebook.

Axiom News is storying the CoreChange effort in Cincinnati, including people’s commitment to this, possibilities they see and what can be expected. To share your story, please contact the newsroom at 705-741-4421 or e-mail michelle(at)axiomnews.ca.