4 • July 15, 2020
The LEGACY
Op/Ed & Letters We should embrace prison returnees to our communities DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR. I am pleased to work and live in our nation’s capital. Washington, D.C. is a city on the move progressively even amidst the continued existence of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is one emerging issue in the District of Columbia that in my long career in the field of civil and human rights that I am very concerned about. That is the issue of people returning to our communities from prison. It’s difficult to argue that there is not an urgent need for better
helping former inmates make the difficult transition back to society. A returning citizen with a pathway to gainful employment and secure housing has a better chance of developing a strong connection to his family and community and not returning to prison. Mass incarceration in America is a serious national problem that needs to be resolved. Black Americans, in particular, are disproportionately imprisoned across the country. I personally know what it is like to be unjustly imprisoned and the difficulties of trying to overcome
Concerned about the well-being of your loved one? We’re concerned about their
incredible-being.
the aftermath of counterproductive stigmas and unfair stereotypes with
respect to the lingering unjustified
(continued on page 5)
AT IMPERIAL PLAZA, WE ARE PREPARED 24/7 TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND CARE.
• Secure apartments supplied with everything residents need • Chef-prepared meals delivered right to our residents’ doors • Maintenance, laundry service and daily housekeeping UNCERTAIN TIMES CALL FOR CERTAIN CARE — AND A COMMUNITY THAT’S WARM, ENGAGING AND CONNECTS WITH YOU.
TO LEARN MORE OR TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR, VISIT IPSENIORLIVING.COM INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE I P S E N I O R L I V I N G .CO M • 8 0 0. 6 4 8 .0 9 1 9 1 7 17 Be l l ev u e Ave n u e • R i c h m o n d , VA 2 3 2 27
