Vera Institute to Release Report April 29, 'Families: A Cost-Effective Tool of Prisoner Rentry' 4/24/2003
From: Alyse Booth, 718-643-4877 or 917-701-5628 News Advisory: The Vera Institute of Justice will announce the results of its report, "Families as a Resource in Recovery from Drug Abuse: An Evaluation of La Bodega de la Familia," at a press and policy briefing from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at the National Press Club, 14th and F Streets NW, in Washington, D.C. At a time when cities and states are struggling with shrinking budgets, this important research sheds new light on the roles that families -- a natural, low-cost resource -- can play in helping reduce drug use and recidivism among individuals on parole or probation. The report's key finding is that families, if engaged and supported, can be an effective supplement to more traditional criminal justice responses to drug prevention and drug treatment. SCHEDULE: 9:30 - 10 a.m. -- Release of Report: -- Christopher Stone, director, Vera Institute of Justice -- Carol Shapiro, executive director, Family Justice, and founder, La Bodega de la Familia 10 - 11 a.m. -- Panel Discussion "Prisoner Reentry: Families Are Part of the Solution" with Q & A: -- Richard G. Dudley, Jr., MD, psychiatrist and adjunct assistant professor, New York University Law School -- Sarah V. Hart, director, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice -- Cheri Nolan, deputy assistant attorney general, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice -- Milan Ozdinec, deputy assistant secretary, Office of Public Housing Investments, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development With more than 600,000 prisoners being released this year-the majority for drug-involved offenses-innovative ways to stop the cycles of relapse and recidivism are needed. La Bodega de la Familia, located in a poor yet vibrant Latino community in New York City is such an innovation. Founded in 1996 as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice, La Bodega is a finalist for the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award sponsored by Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. For more information please consult the Vera Web site at http://www.vera.org or the Family Justice Web site at http://www.familyjusticeinc.org. | |