Each month 250 inmates are released from the Suffolk House of Correction back into the communities in which they formerly lived.
Literature and law enforcement statistics show that if these men are not engaged in meaningful relationships with mentors or role models and provided with the resources to enable them to find legitimate work to provide for their families there is a high likelihood that they will re-offend.
For many the Boston Re-Entry Initiative - a program that brings together law enforcement, the House of Correction and clergy - is the final stop before a federal institution.
Bruce Wall Ministries, along with 3 other Faith Based Organizations, utilize Community Mentors, funded by the Boston police department, to help the ex-offenders establish themselves upon their release.
Each inmate is assigned to a Community Mentor and are visited weekly prior to release to begin building relationships with their mentor. Expansion of this program this year included the addition of a weekly support group (Brothers Supporting Brother) for the men as an additional vehicle of accountability.
In addition to the 4 formal programs of BWM, there is also a long standing history of community development and neighborhood activism. One such example was the Lyndhurst St. Initiative which took place last summer. Area residents voiced their concern regarding this streets recent experience with a homicide on the 4th of July as well as an increase in drug traffic on the corner of the street.
A group of people were assembled that included law enforcement, city inspectional services, probation, clergy, business owners, politicians and residents who together brought attention to the issues in this neighborhood.
Some 8 weeks past the actual Initiative the residual effects can still be seen in the reactivation of the Neighborhood Watch, a neighborhood cleanup by residents and city officials, evictions and greater communication among residents.
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