Citizens Against Recidivism, Inc.
Stopping the revolving door . . . .
Neither imprisonment or the life after should mean the loss of all the rights and attributes of citizenship.
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Citizens Against Recidivism, Inc. Stopping the revolving door . . . . Neither imprisonment or the life after should mean the loss of all the rights and attributes of citizenship.
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Photos from First Annual Citizens Awards
Characteristics of people on parole in NY State - 2007 Policy Recommendation to increase higher education Opportunities for people in prison
Fact Sheet on Muslims in NYS prisons
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Muslim Re-entry Initiative The Muslim Re-entry Initiative began after formerly incarcerated Muslims were unable to have their various needs addressed following time spent in prison when seeking help from the broader Muslim community. Many were unable to find housing, employment, counseling, assistance uniting with their families upon their return and worst of all, felt un-welcomed when seeking to worship with other congregants. The project works on behalf of currently incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Muslims to decrease the rate at which Muslims return to prison following release. Its main effort includes advocating for the establishment of policies and programs that speak to the problem of incarceration and focus upon the development of transitional supports for Muslims in prison and when they return from prison. Research findings leading to the Muslim Re-entry Initiative
Muslims are in America's prisons too! Nationally, 30% of African-Americans in prison are Muslims, upwards of 300,000 around the country. About 5% of all Muslims in America and 12% of all African American Muslims are in prison or jail across America. 25% of African Americans in New York State prisons are Muslims. While the work Muslims have done in prison is known, on issues of reentry, Muslims do not have structured programs, policies, or positions related to transitioning formerly incarcerated Muslims into the Muslim Community. Moreover, Muslims have few if any links to the broader community, community-base or other faith-based movements engaged in advocacy and services related to reentry. The number of Muslims in New York State prisons is staggering and likely to be under-reported since 9/11 when some ceased reporting their religious affiliation. Among the orthodox Muslims the number counted have fluctuated:
Muslims have a moral obligation to respond to this community crisis! The believers, men and women, are Auliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another (Qur'aan) Why it matters:
The resources available to Muslims are vast but not effectively used to aid their formerly incarcerated brothers and sisters. Those available are:
The only question remaining is what are we going to do Fisabillahi (in the way of Allah) to address this issue?
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