A Gathering for Change

On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, the Central Family Life Center sponsored a forum to address the need for innovative approaches to issues of criminal justice.  Present at the forum, which was given by the Circle of Love Prison Group of the First Central Baptist Church, were panelists from various branches of criminal justice, including the a deputy commissioner of the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, the bureau chief of the Department of Parole, and a retired correctional officer.

The theme of the forum was “Changing the Tide - Information Sharing and Strategic Building for Affecting Change in Our Community.”  It was designed to bring to the forefront the concerns of the community here on Staten Island, from juvenile delinquency and gang violence to prisoner re-entry and police harassment.

“The need for change has come,” stated Circle of Love member and First Central Deaconess Arline Edwards.  Ms. Edwards stated that not too long ago a group of young Black teens were in their neighborhood and were harassed by police for no apparent reason.  They were doing nothing illegal and none of them had criminal records. Yet the police picked them up, handcuffed them and brought them to the 120 precinct.  A panelist, the Rev. Kathy Lane, who is a liaison between the police and the community, said issues like this and others need to be addressed in order to improve relations between the community and law enforcement.  “We cannot allow these sort of situations to take place and say nothing about it,” she implored.

Highlighted as well was that, unlike in the outer boroughs, Staten Island does not have an established re-entry program for prisoners returning to the community.  This is a recipe for disaster that can easily leads a former prisoner to relapse into his or her prior criminal ways, which threatens all members of the community.  John Chaney, Deputy Executive Director of ComALERT, a re-entry program that functions out of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, said that he understood the need to have such a vital service in Staten Island.

“Charles Hines, the District Attorney in Brooklyn, realized this need,” Mr. Chaney said.  “He also realized the need to serve the broader community by ensuring the prisoners returning to their neighborhood have an opportunity to receive an education, obtain skills and find jobs like everybody else.” Mr. Chaney additionally stated that he is willing to work with Staten Islanders to receive these services.

Mr. Herman Dawson, the Deputy Commissioner of the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice, was clear and direct.  “My role was to lock your youth up and prosecute them,” he stated bluntly.  “However, I began to get tired of locking these kids up who look just like me.”  In addition, he stated with tears in his eyes that when his own brother got killed due to street violence, he knew that something more needed to be done.  “Yes, the community can change the system, but we can’t wait for the whole community to act.  We must act as individuals first,” he intoned.  “Parents must accept responsibility and the children must accept responsibility. But different approaches must be tried. As for me, I will be a voice for you,” Dawson assured the audience in attendance.

When prisoners return to their neighborhoods from state prison, they are usually on parole.  Tom Kratz, the S.I. Bureau Chief, stressed the importance of parole officer’s role as public servants.  “We are of service to you.  We want to see former prisoners succeed in their transition back into your homes, families and neighborhoods.  That is why I am here, to ensure that happens.”  He gave out his business card and encouraged everyone to contact him concerning any areas where he can be of assistance.

Finally heard was Brenda Wells, the former corrections officer who brought home the harsh reality of prison life, and pledged her support to the Circle of Love Prison Support Group, and Ms. Allison Nelson, the NYS Field Director of Prison Fellowship, who ministers to prisoners in state prison and stressed the current slave plantation that state prison resembles.

In keeping with the evening’s theme, information was shared, strategy building took place, and a changing of the tide was afoot.  A night that began and ended with prayer also contained poetry reading, art display, and personal testimony, adding a spiritual and humanistic touch. The pledge of a follow up meeting was given by the panelists to work with members of the African American community who seek to bring a more reasonable and sound approach to criminal justice on Staten Island.