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Former Prisoners Recognized for their Successful Transitions back to Society.

Elissa Candiotti/WAER News

A group of former prisoners sat in tears in the Syracuse Federal Court today… but not for the reason you might expect. They were recognized by the Intensive Reentry Court Program for their successful transitions back into society after prison. Former drug addict, Sonya of Potsdam said she was at first reluctant to join the program.

   “I didn’t know how to say no to drugs, you know, that’s my first thinking, “Well huh I’m in a new city let’s go”, but I knew I couldn’t do that.”

Once Sonya finally joined I-R-C, she learned how to care for her four children like she always wanted to. Court officials closely monitor ex-cons with small monthly goals that will help participants achieve big in the long run. Authorities note that two-thirds of prisoners end up back in jail a second time. Sonya considers herself lucky to be one of 18 graduates who were willing to make life changes.

“I’ve learned it’s okay to be scared, it’s okay to open up, it’s okay to open up, it’s okay to talk to people about your problems. It’s not okay to keep things bottled up so you have to change.”

The IRC program teams up with businesses in Central New York who give these former prisoners a second chance. V-P Supply Corporation Regional Manager Chris Maroney hires ex-cons because he says, he was once in the same boat.

Credit Elissa Candiotti/WAER News
Dozens of supporters gathered to honor the ex-inmates' accomplishments.

  “I was the same background, I just never got arrested or went to the next step of being criminal. I was minutes away from that so I appreciate that I got help before it got too bad and I see a lot of myself in them." 

Maroney and other employers say employing former prisoners helps build a safer community. Today’s celebration recognized the hard work and success of the former prisoners and the court officials who helped them.  

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.