Oval: Help Us Prepare Today's Inmates to be Tomorrow's Good Neighbors

 

Concord

Prison

Outreach,

Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Concord Prison Outreach

Concord Prison Outreach, Inc. (CPO) is a vol­unteer organization which invites and coordinates community participation in educational and serv­ice programs offered at the two Concord prisons, MCI-Concord and the Northeastern Correctional Center (NCC). Since it was found­ed in 1986, CPO has been working cooperative­ly with the administration at the two prisons, pursuing its goal of assisting inmates in preparing for their return to society as responsible, produc­tive citizens. In addition, CPO brings to the community timely public forums relevant to cur-rent prison and criminal justice issues. In all its endeavors, Concord Prison Outreach holds out the vision of prisons as places where education and positive growth are fostered for the ultimate benefit of society.

 

 

 

 

 

  A Tradition of Community Involvement

 

Concord community residents have been actively involved in rehabilitation since the late 19th cen­tury when townspeople petitioned the legislature to build a prison in Concord. In the prison's early history it was known as the Reformatory. Most of the prison staff lived in Concord. Some local res­idents taught classes and attended the prison's church. What used to be the Prison Farm is today the minimum-security Northeastern Correctional Center.

 

 

 

 

 

   Programs

 

The following list of programs reflects wide range of inmates' interests and needs.

Text Box: Anger Management Book Discussion Chess Emotional Awareness / Healing Human Relationships Kids' Corner Library Music Theory Poetry & Creative Writing Tutoring: math, basic composition, English as a second language

Text Box: Alternatives to Violence Art Calligraphy Computer Basics (Word, Excel) Fathers Support Group First Aid / CPR Job Search Nutrition/Fitness Toastmasters Financial Planning & Money Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Community Connections

 

 Concord Prison Outreach offers opportunities to uniquely connect community residents with prison inmates. Through the annual December Holiday Gift Bag Project, people in the commu­nity bring holiday cheer to inmates by filling gift bags with many useful items such as stamps, writ­ing paper and toiletries. CPO's goal is a gift bag for every inmate, often totaling well over 1,000 bags. Also in December at NCC, community res­idents join inmates for an evening of caroling and fellowship.

 

 

 

  Volunteers Make a Difference

Community volunteers are involved in many different programs at the prisons.

Volunteers...

·  Share a particular knowledge, skill or interest such as letter writing or chess.

·  Tutor in basic education, helping prepare inmates to earn a high school equivalency diploma (GED). Tutors also help teach litera­cy, English as a second language and computer basics.

·  Work with small groups of inmates in 4-10 week sessions to develop practical skills appli­cable to job search, money management and human relationships. Volunteers are also wel­come to participate in CPO courses of interest to them. Volunteers receive orientation and training as may be required.

As a volunteer, however you choose to serve, you can be confident that beyond knowledge and skills, you will bring to inmates hope, affirma­tion, and an assurance that there are people who care.

 

 

  Why I Volunteer...

Text Box: "For many of us the two large prisons we drive by are only a source of curiosity or dismay...But for those who venture inside to teach, they are a source of shared insights." —Diana Clymer "Book Discussion at MCI-Concord continues to highlight my week. We read a range from Sophocles to Upton Sinclair to Alice Walker, all of which provokes informed and vibrant discussion. Rather than a group leader, I often find myself a fascinated observer." —Dick Shohet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Organization

CPO is governed by a board of directors assisted by a steering committee, many of whom represent reli­gious

communities in the Greater Concord area. An Executive Director serves as liaison to the two prison administrations.

 

 

   Financial Support

Concord Prison Outreach is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation supported by donations from religious groups, businesses, community organiza­tions and individuals. All contributions are tax-deductible.

 

   What Inmates Say.. .

 

"An Alternatives to Violence weekend makes me feel like I'm not in prison. People listen to me, respect me. We trust each other."

 

"I have no contact with anyone on the street so I receive no mail...your gifts have brought kind and warm feelings to my heart for this Christmas season."

 

"Concord Prison Outreach volunteers treat me with so much dignity that I feel like a real worth-while human being."

 

   For More Information

Call today to learn more about...

·       Concord Prison Outreach programs and volunteer opportunities

·       How to support legislative initiatives for the improvement of prisons and the judicial system

·       How to arrange for a CPO speaker for your organization

Your support and participation are appreciated. Please forward tax-deductible contributions to Concord Prison Outreach, Inc. Thank you.

Concord Prison Outreach, Inc.
P.O. Box 383
Concord, MA 01742
(978) 369-1430
www.concordprisonoutreach.org

 

Underwritten by Middlesex Savings Bank