The Craven-Pamlico Re-Entry Council observes April as Re-Entry Month with several events held across Craven and Pamlico counties. The Craven-Pamlico Re-Entry Council exists to help individuals rebuild their lives and reintegrate back into their communities, preventing recidivism and reducing crime. The Re-Entry Council works directly with several resources and organizations to connect with justice-involved individuals once they exit the prison systems.
Re-Entry Month, sometimes referred to as Second Chance Month, dates back to 2017 when it was founded by the Prison Fellowship. New Bern Mayor Dana Outlaw also proclaimed the second week in April as Re-Entry Week in New Bern in 2017, followed by a proclamation the following year from the White House establishing the month of April as Re-Entry Month.
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” said Angela Wilson, director of the Craven-Pamlico Re-Entry Council. “Just because someone has been incarcerated, it does not make them a bad person; just a person who made a bad decision and paid their debt to society through incarceration.”
The Re-Entry Council has several events in April for Re-Entry Month where the community is invited to contribute to the discussion.
• Public Meeting for Craven-Pamlico Re-Entry Council, Wednesday, March 27, noon at Youth Navigating Towards Opportunity, located at 13634 Hwy 55, Bayboro.
• Panel Discussion on The Disconnect of Re-Entry, Thursday, April 11, 11 a.m. at Youth Navigating Towards Opportunity, located at 13634 Hwy 55, Bayboro.
• Luncheon for Navigating Through Re-Entry, Thursday, April 25, 11 a.m. at Craven Community College, Naumann Community Room, 800 College Court, New Bern.
• Resource Fair, partnering with the Craven County Sheriff’s Office for The Re-Entry Community, Tuesday, April 30, 10 a.m. at the Omega Center, 800 Cedar St.,New Bern.
“Re-Entry efforts always need advocates for change to assist justice involved individuals,” said Wilson. “And we invite the community to get involved.”
For any information about the Re-Entry Council, Re-Entry events, or to be represented at the Resource Fair, call Wilson at 252-514-3189 or email at wilsona@cravencc.edu.