A Panel of Ex-Prisoners

“Reducing Recidivism through Connection and Community”

I learned about this event from the San Diego Foundation because they have blessed me with a couple of scholarships over the years, and I still get their emails. The title meant little by itself, but the description really piqued my interest:

Nearly 3 out of 4 state prisoners released to San Diego County will be re-incarcerated. Our county’s recidivism rates are among the worst in the state, which has real consequences for our economy, our future, and our youth.

I have volunteered for organizations and learned about issues surrounding homelessness, wealth inequality, and the cycle of poverty, but never prison reform/criminal justice (although it did remind me of UC San Diego’s Books for Prisoners). Because it is so closely connected to many of the subjects that I care about, I decided to check it out.

They also casually mentioned that the guest of honor, Scott Budnick, is the producer of The Hangover series (which he apologized for), as well as the founder and president of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.