Overview of Issue

Often times when convicts are released from prison they are blindly placed into a society that is
far different from the one they formerly knew. Being unaware of how things have changed leads
to a rude awakening. The extent of confusion depends on the amount of years spent within the
confines of prison, but in almost all cases, something has drastically changed. Former inmate,
Michael Staley, gave an analogy describing the feeling of loss and confusion: "It's like a cub
being taken out of the wilderness and then you throw him back in the wilderness when he's
grown. He doesn't know how to survive” (Glasser). For some ex-convicts, before they were in
prison the only technology they knew was a Samsung flip phone. Now, ten years later, they are
released into a society infested with touch screen iPhones and Samsung Galaxies. In other cases,
some may be unaware of the horrific events of 9/11 or even who the president is. These issues
can affect all areas of their lives, including preventing them from being hired. Former convicts
may have no clue how to work the technology that has integrated itself into jobs today. Being
unable to find jobs leads to even greater issues such as homelessness or the “revolving door” of
rearrest (Couloute). These former inmates seem to be destined to these types of lives considering
they have had no way to know what changed while they were gone. Throwing the ex-convicts
into society and expecting them survive is an ignorant outlook that causes most of them to fall
back onto the things they’ve always known, including criminal activity.

Mission Statement and Philosophy

Easing difficulties of reentry by showing ex-cons how the world has changed. While criminals
are behind bars, isolated from the place they once called home, the world continues to change.
As members living in society, we adapt to smart phones, solar panels, X-Boxes, Twitter, drones,
and new fashion trends without thinking twice. In prison, however, one is not aware of or
adapted to these changes. The place they once called home is now filled with self-driving cars
and hover-boards, crop tops are back in style, and Donald Trump is our president. Changes like
these can make the reintegration process difficult, which is why CONnect was formed. By
sending trained staff and volunteers into prisons to visit convicts shortly before they are released,
we are hoping to ease the culture shock. While in the prisons, CONnect introduces prisoners to
fashion trends, teaches them how to work basic technology, and educates them in what current
events are taking place. CONnect gives prisoners a glimpse of society before they are released
back into the world. By doing this we hope to help prisoners begin a successful life after their
sentence, rather than them ending up on the streets or back behind bars.

Action Plan
CONnect is focused on showing prisoners how the world has changed in a personal setting. The
short term plan for this mission is to send the founders of CONnect, along with trained
volunteers, into the prisons. There they will personally interact with a select group of prisoners
who are reaching the end of their sentence, showing them what has changed in society.
We will be using computers to display the newest trends, ranging from the biggest updates in the
news, to the new inventions created during their sentence. With this information made available,
they will have a better idea of what to expect in society. In addition, CONnect plans to brings
things in so they can get hands-on experiences with the newest phones, computers, apps,
entertainment, and much more. Considering that each prisoner has been away from society for a
different amount of years, each session will be based based off the specific prisoner. This
individualized aspect will require much research and thought into what will help this specific
prisoner the most, hopefully creating a beneficial experience for all who go through CONnect.

Although the short-term plan achieves our main goal, we hope to grow in the long run by
improving the way we approach prison visits. Our organization strives to be able to bring back
former prisoners who were aided by the CONnect family in their transition home. With this idea,
the prisoners would have someone more relatable to connect with, and someone who can share
their experiences. Having personal experience, our former prisoners can share their biggest
difficulties as well as advice in order to better prepare prisoners for returning home. We also
hope to benefit the community by decreasing the amount of homeless, unemployed, and
criminals on the streets. Due to the fact that many prisoners struggle to return to society, helping
them will better the community. If prisoners are prepared and have mentors to walk alongside
them in the difficult transition, the likelihood of them ending up back on the streets or in criminal
activity will drop. They will be more likely to find jobs and live happy lives, which will benefit
the entire community. No one wants people to end up on the streets or back in prison, so
CONnect benefits the entire community by walking alongside criminals.

While there are many other great organizations helping ex-convicts, CONnect approaches the
situation differently. Many of these organizations go about providing education or jobs to these
former prisoners, but CONnect aims to prepare prisoners for the changed world. Rather than just
providing resources for inmates, CONnect strives to prepare them. Some non-profits, including
Hope For Prisoners and Recycle Force, provide jobs opportunities for prisoners while they
transition out of prison. CONnect, on the other hand, prepares prisoners so they can survive in
the real world. While Hope for Prisoners and Recycle Force are doing amazing things, CONnect
focuses on equipping prisoners with the necessary skills so that when they complete our program
they will be able to support themselves without having to rely on an organization for a job.

Financial Needs
Total: $94,600
• Paid Staff: $88,000
- Executive Director: $50,000
- Program Manager: $38,000
• 4 Laptops: $3400
- 2 Macbook Pros: $1800
- 2 Windows 10: $1600
• HP Officejet Wireless Printer and Ink: $200
• 6 Current Phones: $3000
- 3 iPhones: $1500
- 3 Samsung Galaxies: $1500