When a spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, it must do so with the right attitude, which refers to its aviation angle. If it comes back with the wrong attitude, it will quickly burn up and fade away.

The same is true for convicted felons who have served their punishment and are returning to society. Just like the rest of us, their attitude will determine whether they succeed or fail.

Frequently, however, it is the attitude of society toward the former prisoner that creates resistance. Too often, the friction between these two entities causes a crash landing.

The re-entry department at STAR Community Justice Center aims to educate surrounding communities about the near certainty that those who are incarcerated today will be returning home in the future.

In regard to re-entry, Cary Williams, the community justice director at STAR, points to a quotation from Jeremy Travis, president of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at New York University. “He said there is an ‘iron law of imprisonment: except for those who die in prison, everyone who goes to prison ultimately returns home.”

Williams followed Jay’s quotation with a question. “Where do these people go and what services are waiting on them?”

That question is at the apex of the trajectory in the re-entry department’s mission. Williams noted that lofty recidivism rates (repeat offenses) nationwide lead to a continuous list of new victims. Offering hope to offenders, he believes, is the first step in breaking the criminal cycle, benefitting both the offender and society.

A variety of classes are offered within the STAR facility to assist its residents in altering their thinking. “But, how effective would these classes really be if we sent these people out of here with no job, poor family support and a poor living environment?” asked re-entry specialist Dustin Kellogg. “They run a much higher risk of recidivating unless we work to change these negative aspects of their lives.”

Kellogg noted that the re-entry department works with residents to help them build job-searching skills, such as creating resumes and handling tough job interviews. The re-entry specialists also provide instruction on work ethic, as well as financial advice and planning.

Re-entry manager April Neal noted that lack of employment, having a criminal record, low education levels and a return to the same environment are the common factors that create repeat offenders. “We are aware of the pitfalls that await our residents once they walk out these doors,” she said, noting that many of these individuals simply don’t know what resources are available to them.

“We try to uncover every resource they have available within their community,” she added.

Williams said the re-entry initiative is not just a STAR phenomenon, listing Ohio House Bill 130 and the federal Second Chance Act, both enacted in 2008, as springboards for this initiative.

However, because STAR decided to place more of an emphasis on re-entry, their hope is that the communities they serve will see a reduction in recidivism, lower crime rates, less fear of crime and the growing costs of prosecution, incarceration and institutionalization.

He summed up his thoughts by quoting President George W. Bush’s comments in his 2004 State of the Union address regarding re-entry:

‘“America is the land of the second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.’

“We in the re-entry department have a goal to give guidance to make that path as clear as possible,” Williams said.

That clear path could benefit society as much as it benefits the returning offender.

Billy Bruce is a freelance writer who lives in Pedro. He can be contacted at hollandkat3@aol.com.