MEDIA ADVISORY – NATIONAL REENTRY WEEK

Contact: Donald E. Clark
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine:  As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system, Attorney General Loretta Lynch and the Department of Justice have designated the week of April 24-30, 2016, as National Reentry Week. 

“Too often, justice-involved individuals who have paid their debt to society confront daunting obstacles to good jobs, decent housing, adequate health care, quality education, and even the right to vote,” said Attorney General Lynch.  “National Reentry Week highlights the many ways that the Department of Justice – and the entire Obama Administration – is working to tear down the barriers that stand between returning citizens and a meaningful second chance – leading to brighter futures, stronger communities, and a more just and equal nation for all.”

In recognition of National Reentry Week, Thomas E. Delahanty II, United States Attorney for the District of Maine, announced today that he will host a reentry roundtable discussion on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 100 Middle Street, East Tower, 6th Floor, in Portland with key public and private stakeholders that are engaged in efforts to reduce recidivism and promote the successful reintegration into society of justice-involved individuals. 

These stakeholders include: the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office; the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic; Family Crisis Services; the Federal Defender, District of Maine; Goodwill Industries of Northern New England; Maine Pretrial Services; Maine Inside Out; MaineWorks; the Maine Department of Corrections; My Sister’s Keeper; the Portland Recovery Community Center; Straight Ahead Ministries and Transformation Project; the U.S. Attorney’s Office; U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services; the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office; and Volunteers of America Northern New England. These organizations will discuss the reentry work or programs in which they are engaged, identify areas where they can collaborate with others, and identify barriers encountered by justice-involved individuals. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and observe the roundtable discussion.  They should arrive by 8:45 a.m. if they wish attend and observe.  Representatives of the organizations will be available at about 10:30 a.m. to answer questions and provide additional information.  Members of the media should arrive by 10:15 a.m. if they wish ask questions or obtain additional information.