Walk In Their Shoes: Montco Program Simulates Prisoner Reentry To Society

NORRISTOWN, PA — A special upcoming event in Montgomery County will simulate inmate reentry into society after being released from prison.

Participants in the event Thursday will put participants to "walk in the shoes" of the first month of the life of a person just released from prison and returning home. Specifically, individuals must complete tasks within a certain time frame.

"Our hope, from the Clerk of Courts Office, is that this will help our client base to be treated with more empathy and understanding," Lori Schreiber, Clerk of Courts, said in a statement. "That, in turn, can help lower recidivism rates. In addition, we hope to highlight some of the problems in the re-entry systems, and that this awareness may lead to needed changes to help returning citizens with a smoother transition back to their home communities in the future."

Law enforcement, criminal justice employees, and members of the public can participate.

The event will take place on Sept. 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus on 1175 Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken.

The two hour activity is a collaboration between the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and the county's Reentry Initiative.