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Michael Vick has a job, but many others leaving jail do not Date published: 8/15/2009
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE A case manager for people leaving jail hopes area employers take a lesson from the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL team signed Michael Vick for $1.6 million yesterday, just months after the standout quarterback left federal prison after serving a sentence for conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring. Getting a job would be a boon to anyone struggling in this economy, but LaToya Brown, case manager for the local Virginia CARES office, said the work would be particularly welcome to people with criminal rec-ords. "It's really bad right now, so many people are out of work, and then to have a criminal background on top of that, it's especially difficult," said Brown, who works with more than 200 area residents coming out of Virginia jails. "Because of the economy, employers are being super selective." She cold-calls area businesses, meets with employers and searches high and low for those willing to hire someone with a record. In the past, she has had success. But in the recession, she's finding fewer employers willing to hire an ex-offender. She tells her clients they need to make themselves as marketable as possible. Those who help former inmates re-enter society have long said a personal contact makes for the best possible outcome. Chaplains at the Rappahannock Regional Jail, local social workers and nonprofits all help develop those relationships and convince employers to take a chance on an ex-offender. They say there are key ingredients for a successful life after jail: a system for accountability, a mentor and a job. Jail volunteers have created a faith-based program that helps ex-offenders take responsibility for their actions. And using volunteers from area churches, The Christian Brothers Transition Program has been able to find jobs for its members. The group also meets once a week to provide support, said Jack Richards, jail chaplain. A Fordham University theology professor said those leaving jail could learn lessons from Vick's situation. "Vick re-enters society with stable employment, formal and informal networks of support, and structures of accountability," Maureen O'Connell said in a press release. "Unfortunately, many of these supports are not available to ex-offenders." Locally, those leaving jail can seek help from the King George County Department of Social Services, Brown's office and the regional jail's community services program.
Date published: 8/15/2009
he's had more "second chances" that a cat has lives.
Pete Rose spent five months in Federal prison for tax evasion and is a felon as well.
Vick, like so many others that have committed crimes, deserves a second chance. Whether you are from the right or the left, wouldn't you want a second chance if you had made a mistake? I do have to wonder abt the conservative right that is so easy to condemn someone.....Many of you are Christians. Is forgiveness a part of your religion?
is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. In an era when players did not take steroids, his accomplishments are hall of fame worthy. Rarely today will a player get 3000 hits, but over 4000 hits is something we may never see again.
Cleveland Browns should have picked him up. Don't they have the Dawg Pound?
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