2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court

Professionals

Boston, MA June 2, 2010


Professionals

PURPOSE

To present NOBLE's and NEC's perspective on why Law Enforcement agencies should support Reentry initiatives.

Demonstrate the benefits of partnering with formerly incarcerated individuals to address offender reentry issues that enhance public safety in our country.

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court ProfessionalsThe question that has to be asked is whether or

not we have the moral courage and intestinal fortitude to make a difference?

It takes effort on the part of entire communities to turn this situation around. No one individual or entity has all the answers.

We have to work collaboratively and develop strategic approaches to this perplexing issue.

Men United For A Better Philadelphia

Historical BackgroundMen United For A Better Philadelphia (MUBP) is

a grassroots organization that was organized to decrease the violence in the city.

It was formed in 2002 by Malik Aziz.

The various programs under MUBP were:Safe Schools, Safe CommunitiesCount Me Out (gang prevention program)Adolescent Violence Prevention Partnership

(AVRP)

In 2001 the Mayor’s Office for Community Services created the “Safe Schools, Safer Communities Program,”

headed by Malik Aziz. Areas of concentration Included;

Conflict ResolutionGang Prevention and

InterventionPeer Mediation

Violence PreventionCommunity ServiceBehavior AdjustmentLife Coach Mentoring

Men United For A Better Philadelphia

PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE,PA

A Growing Need:Malik Aziz, while at the Mayor’s office, saw a

need for a bigger role in the way to prevent violence, not just in Philadelphia, but across America.

The National Exhoodus Council (NEC) was formed in 2007 to utilize the talents of formally incarcerated professionals to address the critical issues of youth violence, gang violence and youth incarceration.

The Exhoodus Tour

The National Exhoodus Council:Proposal for Peace and Jobs

The National Exhoodus Council (NEC) is a national, broad based coalition of formerly incarcerated community based, organizational leaders, who have been called together to address the twin problems of gang violence and the annual resettlement (reentry) of 700,000 people from state and federal prisons to urban cities across America.

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals Facing Reality

If we take a look at our nation’s economy and the reality that funding may not be available to pay for all of our governmental services, we must be concerned.

Not since the 1930s, have law enforcement and other governmental administrators been called on to this degree to maximize their resources and prioritize the use of their services.

The reality may very well be that we cannot and perhaps should not incarcerate at the rate of the present level.

What are the challenges?To change the criminal justice paradigm from an

adversarial relationship between the state, people in prison and the communities from which they come, to a more collaborative one.

To encourage and foster a relationship in which the state, community and people in prison work together cooperatively in addressing individual and community problems.

To work with people in prison, helping them become assets to their communities.

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals"I believe we must create a pathway for people

coming out of jail to get the jobs, skills, and education they need to leave a life of crime. That means supporting effective training and mentoring programs to help people transition into jobs. That means reevaluating the laws against hiring people with a criminal record so that we don't foreclose effective ways to bring people out of poverty and deter them from committing new crimes. That also means giving former prisoners parenting skills so they can give their children the sense of hope and opportunity that so many of them were denied.”

– President-Elect Obama

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals

The growing numbers of offenders released to communities, is directly linked to increased enforcement prosecutions, during the past 20 years. These individuals have begun to return to areas that are significantly different, both economically, and demographically from the eras when they were originally incarcerated.

NOBLE’s leadership recognized the necessity for law enforcement executives to seek new and innovative strategies to address the issue of offender reentry. A partnership was subsequently formed with NEC to address this issue and aide in reshaping the national debate surrounding the benefits of implementing offender reentry strategies. Consultations are held monthly between key representatives of NOBLE and NEC.

DR COSBY “SAVE OUR CHILDREN”

DR. COSBY COUNSELS MALIK


ProfessionalsNOBLE has always expressed concern about the

high rate of recidivism in our nation, its negative impact on our communities. Perhaps more important, the debilitating effect

that such recidivating has on the lives of the young women and men involved and on their families.

NOBLE supports the concept of redemption and endorse the value of a second chance.


ProfessionalsMarch 2009 - Joint Press release with NEC

regarding Oakland PD and Philadelphia PD officer’s deaths.

April 2009 - NOBLE National President represented NOBLE at a Press Conference in the Rayborn Bldg. in support of NEC roll out.

July 2009 - Co Presentation between NOBLE’s Correction, Probation and Parole Committee and NEC at NOBLE’s 33rd Annual Training Conference devoted to law enforcement’s role in meeting offender reentry challenges.

Cognitive Transformation Using Positive Peer Intervention

NEC utilizes the Cognitive Transformation Model based upon the life of Malcolm X, a criminal turned human rights leader, activist and outspoken advocate for social justice. Before transforming into Malcolm X, his life orbited around urban crime in the form of drugs, larceny and vice. His criminal proclivities would eventually earn him 10 years in prison where he met peers who even in the deplorable environment managed to evolve into enlightened, law abiding citizens.

SAVE OUR SEED, ATLANTIC CITY

Areas of Transformation Include:Peer InteractionUtilizing The Power of EducationRealistic Goal SettingCount Me OutField TripsCommunity ServiceMeaningful Mentorship

How Do We Know It Works?

NEC members have a zero recidivism

rate.

Current NEC Cities

Philadelphia, PAMemphis, TNDothan, ALAtlantic City, NJIrvington, NJNewark, NJCamden, NJChester, PAHarlem, NYBronx, NYQueens, NYTallahassee, FL

Saint Louis, MOChicago, ILLos Angeles, CASeattle, WAPortland, ORLittle Rock, AKHouston, TXDayton, OHPittsburgh, PAWinston Salem, NCRichmond, VANew Orleans, LA


Professionals

COLLABORATIONS

July 2009 - NEC presents at NOBLE’s 32nd Annual Training Conference NEC members meet with incarcerated youth in Norfolk Juvenile

Detention Center October 2009 - NOBLE and NEC held a symposium during Congressional

Black Caucus week on Capitol Hill. The Symposium focused on NEC’s Executive position paper regarding offender re-entry, and NOBLE’s position paper regarding law enforcement’s role to develop appropriate protocols for engagement with formerly incarcerated individuals.

January 2010 – NOBLE’s Immediate Past President participated with NEC in a Rural Mayors Symposium focused on offender re-entry in Harrisburg, PA consisting of law enforcement, faith based, public sector and non-profit organizations.

February 2010 – NOBLE Immediate Past President and members of NOBLE’s Philadelphia Chapter participated with NEC in a Stop the Violence Rally in Chester, PA focused on reducing juvenile violence with law enforcement, faith based, public sector and non profit organizations.


Professionals

WHAT TOOLS DO WE HAVE?


Professionals2006 - National Policy Summit on Offender Re-

Entry

Purpose: Consider what role law enforcement executives and their agencies should assume in the offender reentry initiative.

The recommendations and the summary of the summit were published in the IACP/COPS National Policy Summit Final Report Offender Re-Entry.

NOBLE’s Research conducted during 2009 and development of a position paper.


ProfessionalsLaw enforcement agencies and their community

partners should meet and clearly define reasonable and realistic objectives for their offender re-entry efforts and establish an organizational structure and operational guidelines that will enable them to achieve their objectives. If the re- entry program is in operation the law enforcement executive could ask to review the established guidelines and make appropriate recommendations for improvement.

Law enforcement executives should emphasize the fact that offender re-entry efforts are designed to reduce crime and enhance public safety when seeking support for the program.


Professionals Professional Law Enforcement organizations (like

NOBLE) should articulate their support for offender re-entry efforts and encourage their membership to support and become involved in re-entry programs. Executives should also ensure the involvement of management, command, mid-level management and patrol officers in the offender re-entry efforts.

Law enforcement executives should identify existing offender re-entry efforts and evaluate which programs their agencies may productively collaborate with community stakeholders.

For More Information:Malik AzizNational Chairman633 Cheswick RoadPhiladelphia, PA 19128215-539-3218E-mail:

[email protected]

Dr. Divine PryorDirector, NEC Policy and

Development516-503-9692Center for Nu

Leadership on Urban Solutions, School of Professional & Community Development

Medger Evers College of the CUNY

For more information contact the National Organization of Black LawEnforcement Executives (NOBLE)

Phone: (703) 658-1529Website: WWW.NOBLENATL.ORG

2010 National Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Documents

national conference

incarcerated professionals

incarcerated community

malik aziz

community services

twin problems of gang

safe schools

governmental services