Symposium on Issues Facing Ex-Offenders Re-Entry to the Community, March 9, 2012

"The Hard Road Home: Welcoming Ex-Offenders Back to the Community" featuring Lyn Levy from Span, Inc/ was held on March 9th at the Suffolk University School of Law. Ms. Levy outlined re-entry issues encountered by those who are released from prison as they try to re-establish themselves in the community. Four panelists with criminal records discussed their lived experiences of finding housing, obtaining proper identification, family re-unification, employment and the endless emotional adjustments that are faced on moving from an institution to non-institutional status. One panelist illustrated how enduring the stigma of incarceration can be. Even after 19 years of crime-free participation in mainstream society, the panelist found that his criminal history continued to make him a suspect.

The audience, which included students, direct service providers, activists and academics participated in a lively discussion of the issues. Students found the discussion particularly enlightening. As one person noted, "I really absolutely enjoyed it! I thought it was extremely intriguing and interesting hearing former inmate's stories. Hearing their stories illustrates what we have learned in class." Due to the success of the event, a third symposium will be held next year.

The symposium was sponsored by the Center for Crime and Justice Policy Research and the Jericho Circle Project. For more information about the symposium or the topic of re-entry issues, contact professor Maureen Norton-Hawk or Professor Erika Gebo at the Center for Crime and Justice Policy Research. For more information about the Jericho Circle Project, which addresses the emotional literacy needs of men inside and outside of prison, contact Professor Steven Spitzer.

Dr. Jack Levin, Serial Killings and Mass Murderers, October 23, 2007

Jack Levin, Ph.D., is the Irving and Betty Brudnick Professor of Sociology and Criminology and director of the Brudnick Center on Conflict and Violence at Northeastern University as well as an international media celebrity.

Professor Levin discussed recent case examples of serial killing and mass murders to a packed audience at the C. Walsh Theater in October. Based on his years of research, Professor Levin identified many of the similarities and differences between the two criminal groups. Professor Levin's presentation was followed by a spirited question and answer period that continued through the informal reception.