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Concord |
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The
Unique Story of ... ... how a community-based prison program developed in Concord, Massachusetts. IN THE
BEGINNING ... In the
late 1800's the citizens of Concord,
Massachusetts, petitioned the legislature
to build a prison in Concord for youthful offenders. One million dollars
was voted in 1873 to construct the Concord Reformatory. People
from the area worked and volunteered in the
prisons, establishing community involvement. We have a story to tell That community involvement began in the
1960's: two women representing their faith communities asked: "What can a group of
community people do for the prison?" The first response came in 1967, when the
superintendent at MCI Concord, formerly known as the Reformatory, requested curtains for
the infirmary and holiday decorations for the dining hall. Spreading the word A small local group, called the Concord
Correctional Resource Group, developed from these first two projects. The
group's goals were: ·
To inform, educate and involve more and more people in the community. ·
To maintain regular contact with the Prison Administrations to determine
needs and build positive relationships. The Concord Correctional Resource Group
provided the following services to better link the prison and towns-people: ·
Weekly column, Notes On The Wall, in the town paper ·
Directory of programs to orient incoming inmates ·
Art course for inmates and a show of their work at the public library ·
Reception to introduce prison officials to town leaders ·
Adult education course about the prisons in our town ·
Town forums held to inform, educate and promote involvement Growth and
Expansion After a period of exciting involvement came a
lull in the late 1970's, when volunteers were not welcomed into the prison due
to security concerns. In the early 80's, however, the
minimum-security facility and pre-release center, called the Northeastern Correctional Center
(NCC), became receptive to volunteers. In 1983 a small task force from four churches
started meeting with the chaplain at NCC, seeking an opening for seminary students and
community volunteers. In 1984 he suggested bringing members of the
congregations for an evening of Caroling and Fellowship with the inmates. This
event proved so meaningful that it became an annual holiday tradition. This
shared experience with inmates has grown to involve almost 100 people from the
community each year. The task force realized that consistent,
community-based leadership was needed to develop ongoing programs at the
prisons. So a part-time, paid position was established and supported by
contributions from local faith groups. A volunteer who had been involved from
the beginning was named Coordinator. Education The
emphasis was educational programming to prepare inmates for their return
to society. In 1986
nineteen volunteers from seven churches worked one-on-one with inmates on a
life skills course, How to find a job. Qualified
people were identified to teach specific skills. Volunteers from the community
were invited to take the program with the inmates. In this way, the volunteers
learned the material and could conduct subsequent classes. This model built a
unique sense of community by having insiders and outsiders learning together. The success of these programs at NCC
was recognized by the superintendent of MCI Concord, and the programs were soon
offered at the medium-security prison as well. It wasn't
long before over 150 volunteers were teaching and participating in
over 40 educational programs at both correctional facilities. WHERE WE
ARE TODAY. . . A new name This
growing corps of volunteers adopted the name, Concord Prison Outreach, in 1988,
and began offering two life-changing programs in the Concord prisons: ·
Alternatives to Violence
(AVP), a nationally based program ·
Emotional Awareness/Emotional
Healing, initiated and taught by Robin Casarjian These
programs continue to be among the most valuable ones offered by CPO and so
recognized by correctional officials. Other
programs offered include English as a Second Language, Basic Composition, Art,
Calligraphy, a health series, and tutoring. A Parenting Program was developed
with the help of three community agencies. The Holiday Shoebox Project annually
solicits approved items from groups and families in the community and provides
them to every inmate in the two Concord prisons. In 1998 the
organization became a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation with a Board of
Directors as well as a Steering Committee, made up of representatives of the
twenty faith groups that support its work. Today, there are three part-time
paid positions, Executive Director, Administrative Assistant and AVP
Coordinator. CPO has received recognition from the Human Rights Council and
Department of Correction. THE BASIS OF
SUCCESS
"Help us prepare today's inmates to be tomorrow's good Neighbors" See our brochure and contact us: Concord Prison Outreach P.O. Box 383 Concord, MA 01742 (978) 369-1430 |