What Others Are Saying

  • Here is a paper all should read if they are looking to find out how to have their rights restored when they re-enter society:

    ECONVICTION Team 3 Project Overview

    Rationale or What A review of the literature regarding the issue of reentry reflects the existence of organizations, advocacy groups, individuals, and many written pages on the subject of the barriers that non violent felony convicted individuals face when they are released from either state or federal prison. In the State of Florida, 35,000 inmates will be released within the next three years. They will be faced with many obstacles that are created because of their previous records and convictions. The word or phrase as one might call it; Econviction is being established so these former inmates will be able to utilize this word in order to go to the electronic age of Internet and be able to find information and articles as well as groups who can help them in their quest to reentry. On the other hand, organizations, scholars, research and service providers can adopt the word Econviction to identify this unique situation of barriers imposed in the reentrys successful process due to a previous conviction to nonviolent felony offender. We want to establish this word as a key phrase that will direct these individuals to the appropriate resources. The first and foremost would be to our established Facebook page which would be one of the first to come up when the word econviction is googled. This project is meant to address two distinct audiences. First, it is directed toward the individuals and/or organizations who aid these felons; and second, to the individual felon themselves. It also raises awareness about the fact that at this time, criminal background checks via the Internet are available for purchase on anyone for a small fee which causes invasion of ones right to privacy and to eventual discrimination based on the information obtained from these electronic records, which includes on occasions inaccurate information regarding past criminal history. These records never take into account what the person has done to be rehabilitated neither the personal characteristics of the individual and/or the circumstances that led to the commission of a nonviolent felony conviction. Therefore these felons are already judged or as the phrase goes, still convicted even though they may have turned their lives around.

    Why The simple answer to this is the word itself. As a part of our project we want the word Econviction to have a definition, be able to be googled and lead people to information on reentry, as well as being used by other organizations in their written documents so their information can be easily found. Furthermore, the creation of the word manifests the intention of the group to construct a concept that illustrates and exemplifies how the era of technology affects and perpetuates the label and stigma of those who have not been convicted of a violent felony. This project has no real financial costs for implementation as the social media sight we are utilizing is free of charge to the public. The positive advantages for the creation of a new word are to ensure this important subject matter can be easily identified/accessed using one word; to unify behind the word/concept efforts of advocacy, research, collaboration and establishment of alliances to tackle away barriers in the reentry process. The negative implications are that some people want this electronic information readily available and they do not believe that people can really change. The use of the Face Book will allow both positions to express their concerns and an open dialogue can begin to reduce stigma and discrimination. The use of Facebook is simple. In our last immersion session we had a speaker who addressed the significance that the use of social media might have in promoting a cause and its implication now a days with the different generations. Facebook again a few years back was not a recognized phrase or word but is now a part of the English language and the worldwide jargon. A word or phrase must be used enough to be recognized so it will become a new word in a dictionary. However, it is the position of the group that more important than the inclusion of the word in the dictionary, is the popular/common use of it and the social construction behind it in order to create awareness of the critical consequences of the public access to criminal records to those who have not been convicted of a violent felony. With the creation of a marketing plan through the use of Face Book and the power of dissemination using the verbal language we would explain how to use the word econviction to find information on how to get services to facilitate a successful reentry experience. Another avenue would be for agencies such as SAMHSA, ATTC, PFR, NIDA, etc to adapt this word or phrase in articles they write on barriers to reentry. Then once a person googles econviction they could find helpful information.

    Where As before mentioned as to where this word will be implemented there are a variety of ways to get it out in a fairly quick fashion. Our Facebook page is the first and foremost avenue. When people sign up to be a friend of econviction on Facebook there will already be resources for these folks to utilize on the subject of reentry. In addition, through the narrative of personal experiences the users of Face Book can disseminate the use of the word econviction to unify under a single concept those involved and interested on creating awareness of the barrier imposed by the public access to criminal records of nonviolent felony offenders. As they join then the word automatically goes out to their friends and so on. This is a never ending cycle as it also allows the Facebook author the ability to offer to others to be friends of the movement. This whole process is called viral if it works the way it is planned.

    Who The team members have agreed to keep this Facebook page up and running well after the institute concludes. This includes sending emails to organizations with copies of our fact sheets so they too can collaborate in this project. Another way is to contact the various prison ministries that are part of all state and federal prisons. A simple brochure they can give their followers that helps them navigate to econviction upon release would create a whole stream of former inmates looking for help. These same brochures can be disseminated via Substance Abuse agencies putting it on their web page as a reference material and also linking it to their face book pages. National organizations such as SAMHSA, Reentry Central just to name a few could do the same thing. Once again there is no real dollar cost to these fine agencies and an opportunity for them to unite to this cause.

    How The pieces of the project are already in place. A logo has been created, discussed and revised by the group. The Facebook page has been taught to all team members and suggestions have been made and implemented. A fact sheet is in the process of being created and will be available as part of our presentation at the ALI. Our team, since we had to regroup has been a well run team with cooperation, enthusiasm and even humor which has made all of us now professional and somewhat personal colleagues who share information and ideas. This group will continue to work beyond the termination of the institute as we are all fully committed to seeing that this project develops into what we have described previously.

    So What The real measurement of the project will be three fold. One is that when you Google this word it will direct people to pertinent information on reentry to include our Facebook as one of the place they can go to. The second will be on the Facebook itself because it will measure hits, have an active growing list of friends and many comments and peoples like or dislikes of the information on this page. And lastly once it becomes a recognized word and you go to use it in an article, conversation, etc., the public will have an understanding and a conceptual construction of the meaning of econviction, including the ramifications of discrimination it encompasses. Our group at our presentation will be able to prove to other ALI members and mentors and steering committee how a simple concept such as this will actually be proven to work. This will be accomplished by them actually seeing first hand via the internet that this word can be googled and directed to the right place for information. This prime example that will be shown will illustrate how a simple word/phrase can become a useful instrument in helping inmates reenter society.


    Robert Hafer

  • I have been here at the Transition House for 5 months now. The people here have helped me a lot. My counselor, Ray Cummings, has helped me to develop healthy habits and to overcome those times when I felt like I was losing my mind. The food here is good and healthy. I have been sober now since I have been here, thanks to Ray and Tom Griffin. So, if you ask me, this place is doing a great job in helping me.


    Merle J. Bruce

  • My stay at the Transition House has been everything I thought it might be. It has made me stronger mentally, as well as physically. We need more places like this available. I will never forget what I have learned about myself.


    John C. McPhéé

  • I have been at the Transition House as a resident for approximately 90 days. I came here homeless and with severe substance abuse problem. I am also a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served in the military from 1976 to 1980.

    While at the Transition House I live with other Veterans and participate in Group Therapy sessions for drug & alcohol abuse. I have found these groups to be very helpful towards overcoming my addiction. We are also assigned a counselor and case manager who helps us on an individual basis with our needs. I find them to be both very professional and caring. Taking the time and patience needed to help in our personal recovery from substance abuse.

    The meals provided are fine and the living quarters are neat and comfortable. The overall atmosphere is pleasant, with many people serious about overcoming their dependence on drug and alcohol. Every Tuesday and Thursday the Veterans here are provided transportation for, medical appointments, to the Veteran's Medical Clinic in Orlando.

    Since coming here I have gained a lot from this program. Before coming here, I didn't have the confidence in myself to overcome my problems. But now, I feel more in control and my self-esteem has grown a lot.

    My plans upon leaving here are to attend Alcohol Anonymous meetings regularly, gaining employment and reuniting with my family. I'm grateful for Transition House being available for me. My life has been torn apart because of my addiction. I felt hopeless with very low expectations for the future. But now, each day I have grown towards being a more productive citizen and being a positive part of my community.


    Thomas C. Moore

  • I arrived here at the Transition House on February 20, 2008. After being discharged from the Veteran's Hospital in Tampa. This facility was recommended to me by the staff at the V.A. clinic in Orlando as a beneficial alternative to my status as a homeless alcoholic in need of treatment

    My stay here at the transition House has been instrumental in my recovery from alcoholism. The staff, along with individual and group counseling has in many ways furthered my sobriety immensely.

    To say that my entire life has improved during my brief stay here would be an understatement. With each and every day that I'm sober my physical and mental health advances me on my way to being a better person. I now look forward to each new day, instead of the fear and uncertainty that once hindered my spiritual progress.

    I would highly recommend this program to any veteran in need of the special help that is provided here.


    John McDemott

  • I am currently a resident of the Transition House. I have been here for 7 months. In that time I have learned to deal with issues effecting my sobriety. I have also received tools on my recovery, to be a productive citizen in society. But it's up to me and my higher power. And for that I am truly grateful to Tom Griffin and the staff at the Transition House.


    Willie D. Rogers