Session One: Torp Theatre, Davidson Hall, CCSU

The purpose of the morning session was to increase attendees’ awareness of the impact that incarceration has on our children and families on a local, state and national level. National and state data, combined with personal accounts, was presented in an effort to succinctly portray the issue. There were opportunities for audience participation.

Audio: A Child's Perspective: Voices of Youth Impacted by Parental Incarceration

Voices of youth impacted by parental incarceration. Interviews were performed by Megan Stanton of Families in Crisis. Footage was edited by Jeffrey B. Teitler. This piece was produced by Aileen Keays and the IMRP - Andrew Clark, Director.

Youth Panel

Young adults shared their experience with having a parent in prison. A question and answer session followed afterward.

 

Keynote Speech - Improving Responses to Children of the Incarcerated: Theory, Policy and Practice

Delivered by Ann Adalist-Estrin, Director of the National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated at the Family and Corrections Network (FCN). To read Ms. Adalist-Estrin's biography, click here. To view the PowerPoint presentation from her keynote address, click here.

 

Session Two: Alumni Hall in the Student Center, CCSU

The purpose of the afternoon session was to determine how to use the knowledge gained from the morning session to inform intervention on a local and statewide level within Connecticut. Initially, participants were grouped by region and asked to identify current and potential policy actions aimed at positively impacting children with an incarcerated parent. The session ended with a town hall style discussion led by a panel of policymakers, agency representatives and community based experts.

Break-out Sessions:

Geographically-based panel discussions on "systems."

Attendees Reconvene for Discussion on Groups' Recommendations

Break-out session groups reported back from their respective geographically-based discussions.

Town Hall-style Panel Discussion

Panelists:

Representative Toni Walker, Connecticut General Assembly

Senator Toni Harp, Connecticut General Assembly

Pat Hynes, Connecticut Department of Corrections

Susan Quinlan, Families in Crisis

Ann Adalist-Estrin, National Resource Center on Children and Families of the Incarcerated.

Tim Black, University of Hartford

Judge Quinn, Judicial Branch

March 8, 2008
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Mather Campus Center at Trinity College

Followed by a performance of Time In by the Judy Dworin Performance Ensemble and Women of the Cross, and a book signing by Wally Lamb, editor of I'll Fly Away: Further Testimonies from the Women of York Prison at Trinity College's Austin Arts Center.

Audience
All Connecticut entities administering and/or affected by criminal justice, arts, and women-centered policies and practices including: state legislators and local elected officials; state and municipal agencies; the Judicial Branch; law enforcement; non-profit provider organizations; business leaders; academics and students; and local and statewide community-based organizations.

Theme
Through exhibits, presentations, panel discussions, and performances, this symposium examines the ripple effect of incarcerating women and the pivotal role of the arts as a catalyst for positive change. This symposium is being held on March 8, 2008 in honor of International Women's Day.

Sponsored by CCSU's Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy (IMRP), Judy Dworin Performance Project, Inc, and Trinity College's Department of Theater and Dance, Women's Center and Human Rights Program.

Joe Lea, Robin Cullen, and Andrew Clark on NPR's "Where we live"

Stan Simpson with Joe Lea

Joe Lea adjunct at CCSU and works at York CI joins Stan to discuss the Building Bridges IV Symposium at Trinity College on Saturday, March 8.

Sponsored by: CCSU's Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy (IMRP) and The Governor William O'Neill Endowed Chair

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January 17, 2008

Audience

All entities administering and/or affected by Connecticut criminal justice policies and practices including: state legislators and local elected officials; state and municipal agencies; the Judicial Branch; law enforcement; non-profit provider organizations; business leaders; academics and students; and local and statewide community-based organizations.

Theme
Re-entry: A status update and informed discussion on prisoner re-entry policies and practices in Connecticut, with particular emphasis on exploring state-municipal partnerships aimed at facilitating successful community reintegration.

Speakers and Panelists

Keynote Speaker: Dennis S. Schrantz

Wednesday, January 15, 2003

Herbert Welte Hall
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Join professionals from the fields of workforce development, state agencies, business, legislative and judicial branches of government in examining the barriers encountered by ex-offenders when seeking employment and how the national pilot “Justice Reinvestment” initiative may help.

Featuring Nationally Known Speakers:

MICHAEL JACOBSON, Ph.D., Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
JAMES AUSTIN, Ph.D., Director, Institute of Crime, Justice, and Corrections at George Washington University
ERIC CADORA, Grants Officer, Open Society Institute, New York
Guests of Honor: Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin B. Sullivan and House Speaker Moira K. Lyons

 

8:00	Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:30	Welcoming Remarks
9:00	Keynote Address: Michael Jacobson, Eric Cadora and Dr. James Austin
10:00	From Conviction to Employment: Two former offenders discuss their personal experiences.
10:45	Panel Presentation, “The Role of the Ex-Offender in Today’s Economy” Moderator: Dr. Stephen Cox, Chair, Dept. of Criminology & Criminal Justice, CCSU Sam Agnello, Employment Sup., Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Frank Crandall, Educational Training of Wethersfield /New London Nora Duncan, CT Association of Non-profits Craig Hoekenga, CEO, Microboard Processing Inc., Shelton John Tirinzonie, Director Job Development, CT Department of Labor
12:00	Luncheon (provided) in Alumni Hall, located in CCSU’s new Student Center Speakers: Wallace Barnes, Chair, CT Employment and Training Commission Shaun Cashman, Commissioner, CT Department of Labor Patricia Wilson-Coker, Commissioner, CT Department of Social Services
1:30	Briefing on Justice Reinvestment Initiative by Eric Cadora and Bob Schall, Director of the Self-Help Ventures Fund
2:00	Panel Presentation, “Reinvesting Justice Dollars in the Employment of Ex-Offenders” Moderator: Rep. William R. Dyson, New Haven William Carbone, Director of Court Support Services, CT Judicial Branch Dr. Patrick Hynes, Director of Program Development, CT Dept. of Correction Rep. Michael Lawlor, East Haven Lawrence McHugh, President, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Gail Sturges, Director of Forensics, CT DMHAS Renee La Mark Muir, Program Review and Investigations Committee
3:30	Next Steps: Representative William R. Dyson