New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Blumenthal: Prison reentry center at ‘forefront’ for stopping gun violence
NEW HAVEN — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal lauded the city’s approach to addressing gun violence, including by working with people as they return to the city from prison, as he and other officials spotlighted the New Haven Reentry Welcome Center on Grand Avenue.
“We’re here today because New Haven is at the forefront, literally at the tip of the spear, in stopping gun violence and the surge of crime that we’ve seen across the country.
“Reentry is a linchpin to preventing gun violence and violent crime,” said Blumenthal. “Without reentry (assistance), individuals convicted of crimes are doomed to repeat in many instances.”
Blumenthal noted a recent $1.4 million federal grant to Workforce Alliance, which links those soon to be and recently released from prison with employment opportunities and maintains an office in the Project M.O.R.E.-operated welcome center, saying it “ought to be multiplied, many times over” in Congress’ next appropriation.
He said the federal government needs to provide more funding to support similar efforts, noting reentry services were part of President Joe Biden’s recent gun violence plan, and argued for stronger enforcement of gun laws, as well as social programs, to help avert violence.
“The community intervention program that New Haven has started, and is really epitomized by the community leaders here, is key to what we’re doing . ... The federal government has to be a partner; it has to provide resources; it has to provide the kind of support that you need,” said Blumenthal. “I can commit to you that our delegation will be solidly behind you.”
Mayor Justin Elicker, Acting Police Chief Renee Dominguez and other city officials Tuesday lauded the center’s role in their ongoing multifaceted approach to addressing violence, which also includes increased walking beats, efforts to meet and help or dissuade people at risk of becoming involved in violence and expanded social programs.
Elicker said more than 900 people return to New Haven each year from prison and that approximately 60 percent of people released from prison commit another offense within three years.
People returning from prison also fall victim to crime, he said, noting the example of a man killed in January, weeks before he was set to attend a Project Longevity antiviolence call-in.
He said how society collectively responds to those released from prison is an ethical issue, as well as a method for responding to the increase in violence.
“It is vital for us to do what we’re doing, expand what we’re doing ... because it’s in all of our best interests, but it is also the ethical thing to do.
“We call ourselves a second-chance society, but how can anyone have a second chance if there’s barrier after barrier to someone finding a job, to someone finding housing?” Elicker said. “This team, that I know has worked so hard for so long, you all get this . ... We are here ready, alongside you, to work on that effort.”
Dominguez said the center was a boon for the Police Department; she said she was looking forward to seeing the effect it would have in a year’s time.
It further tightens the links between people involved in addressing gun violence — critical in aiding police in addressing gun violence, she said.
“And it’s extra important for the New Haven Police Department, because this is all hands on deck. In order for us stop the violence we are seeing ... we need everyone’s help. We need the community; we need the social service providers; we need probation and parole,” said Dominguez.
William Villano, president & CEO of Workforce Alliance, said the organization in 2003 hired a dedicated staff to help people returning from prison, and has since linked more than 2,000 people with jobs.
The grant would allow it to expand its work with people before release in New Haven, he said, creating a plan for their first steps out and giving them “a place to go, someone to see, training lined up or a job.”
Carlos Sosa-Lombardo, director of special projects with the community services administration, said the city agency was considering creating an Office of Violence Prevention, building on ongoing collaborative efforts to coordinate a holistic, research-based approach to addressing it.
“Gun violence, it spreads like a virus. Violence brings more violence. And it must be treated like a virus — it must be micro-targeted, contained and extracted from our community,” said Sosa-Lombardo.
“We’re taking violence prevention to the next level, to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and poverty in our city.”
Keisha Gatison, director of the welcome center, said it has helped 72 people since it officially opened in February. So far, they have primarily seen people being released from incarceration, she said.
“The past can be yesterday, or it can be 40 years ago. It does not matter. If individuals are experiencing barriers ... that are making it difficult for them to reintegrate back into society, they can come — especially if they live in New Haven or the neighboring towns,” said Gatison.
“We have a system that works.”