Photo by Susan Madden Lankford
Nine years ago, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe put together an annual conference to help women inmates at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center in Eagle River make the transition back into society after release.
The all-day conference sought to reduce the rate of repeat offenders by holding workshops on topics that range from probation tips to securing housing and employment to simple solutions for leading an overall healthy lifestyle.
Justice Fabe said:
As judges, we impose sentences on offenders and don’t see them until they come back to the courthouse if they’ve re-offended. When they’re inside, they don’t have many choices; the institution makes choices for them. And so we’re trying to help present healthy choices for them to make when they are outside.
After justice is served by way of a prison sentence, the road to re-enter society can often be unfair, but one message that was clear at this year’s conference was: successful re-entry is possible.
However, a successful transition takes help, from an addiction support group to a probation officer to anyone who has walked a similar path. Former inmate, Rachel Burkhart, a panel member at the conference, told about 100 women who were where she once was how she went from being in-and-out of incarceration to finding a career in law.
Burkhart said:
Most of all, successful re-entry takes a willing heart, and sometimes slow and steady wins the race. I was used to a hard and fast life, but after failed drug tests and multiple incarceration periods, I got to the point where I didn’t want to risk my freedom anymore. I actually took those really slow steps, from being placed on house arrest to gaining sobriety to, eventually, being able to finally gain my independence.
“No money I ever made before was legal money. But my main concern became how to be a standup American citizen, to learn how to be an independent and strong woman.
Burkhart networked her way to a job and then met her current boss, who employed her at a law firm, two years later, even though she lacked experience..
Inmate Tammi Charlesworth is set to be released in December of this year. The 34-year-old, has repeatedly been incarcerated over the past 13 years, and she is currently serving time for drug-related charges.
She said at the conference of her multiple chances at reentry:
I haven’t successfully made it , but this time, I had two years to serve, and so I utilized my time to better myself. And now I just need to make sure that bridge from incarceration to the community is as smooth as possible, because I am really looking forward to a reunion with my three children.
All the inmates at the recent event were within a year of their release dates. Fabe said the female inmates can only sign up for the conference if they’ve been working their respective treatment programs, like Charlesworth has.
Charlesworth, who has never been gainfully employed, concluded:
I’ve lived a pretty selfish life, but I’m kind of excited to start living at 34 when most people start at 18.
