Feds Warn Ex-Con’s of ‘Revolving Door’ Sentence

Flint, MI – More than 13,000 Michiganders are released from prison every year, but one-third of them will reoffend, costing taxpayers $34,000 a year per prisoner.

In recognition of National Reentry Week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Michigan Department of Corrections and the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office are taking a targeted approach to reducing crime by ‘Face to Face’ meetings between law enforcement and parolees.

The educational meetings aim to prevent recidivism by providing offenders with information about the consequences of committing new gun crimes, including stiff federal sentences with no chance of parole and prisons in distant locations.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade stated, ‘We are taking a targeted approach to reducing crime by telling offenders about the consequences of committing new crimes and about the support services that are available to help them succeed outside of prison.’

Offenders identify joblessness as their biggest barrier to success, and research shows that unemployment and crime go hand-in-hand. The program also provides information about opportunities, such as education, job training, drug treatment, and employment from wrap-around service organizations.

The ‘Face to Face’ meeting will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the City Hall Dome, located on the grounds of the City of Flint Municipal Service Campus, 1101 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI. Immediately following the meeting, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade and ATF Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker will hold a media availability.

Media are welcome to attend, but will not be allowed to shoot the faces of parolees or probationers. Reporters may conduct interviews with law enforcement officials only and will not identify parolees or probationers in print, internet or broadcast media.

Gina Balaya at (313) 226-9758 or Robert Poikey at (313) 226-9120 may be contacted for more information.

The goal of the program is to invest in helping returning citizens find jobs and reduce the rate of recidivism.

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