Locked Out: Exploring the Path from Incarceration to Inclusion

Tech Dump is *thrilled* to invite you to the upcoming conversation, In Focus- Locked Out: Exploring the Path from Incarceration to Inclusion in partnership with Minnesota Public Radio.

We have teamed with MPR for a conversation about the challenges faced by Minnesota’s formerly incarcerated residents upon re-entry into the community and how we can become a more welcoming state, hosted by Angela Davis on February 24th at noon, CST.

As you may know, in addition to processing electronics, we provide jobs and training to people who face barriers to employment, with the most frequent barrier being a history of incarceration. Finding a job is just one of many challenges that face individuals as they re-enter the community, and we’re excited to explore the topic as we launch a multi-part panel series. We’re grateful to MPR for their partnership on this first panel, which will be a Zoom event, a Facebook Live event, and will also be recorded for anyone who can’t join in while it’s happening live.

MPR News host Angela Davis will lead the conversation about these issues with a panel of community experts including:
Richard McLemore, Executive Director, McLemore Holdings
Nadine Graves, public defender
Brother Shane M. Price, co-founder of and lead trainer, The Power of People Leadership
Institute
Josh Wilson, 2012 graduate of Tech Dump’s jobs training program. Josh is currently employed by the Public Works Department for the City of Minneapolis.

At Tech Dump, we believe that everything and everyone has value–and for us, that especially includes people who have been “locked out” of society after incarceration. As a part of our founding mission, we provide hundreds of thousands of employment hours and nearly a million dollars in wages, as well as practical experience for adults facing barriers to employment. Many of our trainees and staff not only have experience in the criminal-legal system but are also in recovery from addiction. Our goal is to create an environment that not only teaches job skills, but provides a safe and stable environment so that sobriety can be maintained, connections to the community can be made, and additional opportunities can be explored.

Minnesota’s recidivism rate has improved over the years, with fewer people being sent back to prison within three years of being released. But what is it like to be released from time served and individuals try to secure a job or find housing? Join us in discussing these questions and more, and how our work practically impacts the lives of Minnesotans. Many of us are unaware of the challenges facing others in our communities, and we hope this conversation will be an opportunity to learn as well as to spark thinking about the roles we can all play in changing stereotypes and removing barriers so that others may rejoin and become active and contributing members to the world around them. Note: this is the first of an ongoing series we are planning, we will keep you posted with details on the next one in the coming weeks.

About MPR News In Focus Series

MPR News In Focus is a series of convenings we are committed to leading on Minnesota’s persistent racial disparities. Through conversations with community leaders that are shaped by our curious, engaged audience, MPR hopes to encourage new connections and relationships that will help Minnesota communities make progress toward equity and inclusion.

If you have thoughts or questions about the event or the topic of incarceration and reentry, you can also contribute to the conversation in different ways through the MPR News In Focus page.

Details:

In Focus– “Locked Out: Exploring the Path from Incarceration to Inclusion”
Feb 24, 2021 12:00 PM
Registration Free + Online