Mayor Steven Fulop to Host 3rd Annual Jersey City Prisoner Reentry Conference "Reentry: A Moral Cause"

Guest Speakers Include Rev. Al Sharpton of MSNCB and the National Action Network; Andrew P. Napolitno, Fox Senior Judicial Analyst; Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark; Paul Fishman, Esq., United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey John Koufos, President of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation; and Mark Holden, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Koch Industries, Inc.

Co-Sponsored by Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Integrity House and Saint Peter’s University, the Event Will Address the Critical Needs Facing Reentry

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY – Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop will host the Third Annual Prisoner Reentry Conference: Reentry: A Moral Cause on March 24, 2016, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Saint Peter’s University. The conference will focus on the critical needs facing prisoners’ reentry into society and provide a platform to discuss better local and regional reentry efforts. Featuring an impressive lineup of guest speakers, the event is sponsored by Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Saint Peter’s University, Jersey City Medical Center and Integrity House, a nationally recognized substance abuse rehabilitation center with locations in Newark, Secaucus and Jersey City. The goal of the conference is to establish best practices for reentry to improve the success of ex-offenders returning to society.

Each panel will look into the challenges facing individuals who were formerly incarcerated as they reenter society. Employment, education, substance abuse treatment, housing and other crucial pillars to sustain positive life changes for those reentering society will be examined. Each panel discussion will provide attendees with an opportunity to contribute thoughts and ideas to achieve better overall reentry practices.

Confirmed guest speakers include Reverend Al Sharpton of MSNBC and the National Action Network; Honorable Andrew P. Napolitano, Fox News Senior Judicial Analyst; Paul Fishman, Esq., United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey; Honorable Ras J. Baraka, Mayor of Newark New Jersey; John Koufos, President of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation; and Mark Holden, Senior Vice President and general Counsel of the Koch Industries, Inc.

Members of the media and community are welcome and encouraged to attend the conference to contribute to the discussion on the improvements needed to the current, outdated model of reentry.

“The conference takes a deeper look at that challenges ex-prisoners face when reintegrating into society after their sentences,” said Budsock. “An overwhelming amount of ex-offenders face challenges, such as chronic substance use disorders, for example. Without resources for addiction treatment, jobs, housing and other basic necessities, recidivism is very likely and an individual can see themselves in the criminal justice system once again. This conference provides a platform to address the needs of those leaving prison and looking to reclaim their lives.”

For more information on the conference, please contact Melissa Kostinas at 551-222-4325 or mkostinas@jcetp.org. If you would like to attend the conference, please register by visiting http://bit.ly/Reentry2016.

About Integrity House:

Integrity House, a nationally recognized non-profit substance abuse rehabilitation organization with locations in Newark, Secaucus and Jersey City, New Jersey, is the largest treatment facility funded and licensed by the State of New Jersey. Providing addiction treatment and support services for almost 2,400 adult and adolescent addicts each year, Integrity House offers a full continuum of care and implements a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment for clients with substance use disorders from all of New Jersey’s 21 counties, helping individuals and families to make sustainable life-style changes. Since its establishment in 1968, Integrity House has evolved to offer a multitude of state-licensed, CARF accredited programs, including Adult Residential, Adolescent Residential, Halfway House, Partial Care, Intensive Outpatient, Corrections, Aftercare, Supportive Housing and specialized programs for men and women. Integrity House also offers prevention, intervention, and educational services. For more information, visit www.integrityhouse.org or call (973) 623-7246. Connect with Integrity House on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1qiKUBS or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/IntegrityNJ.