For men and women leaving jail, returning to society can be overwhelming, and recidivism rates are high. A prisoner re-entry program in Montpelier has been working to make the transition easier. The goal is to help the former prisoners become self-sufficient, law-abiding citizens. Now those programs are threatened by a lack of funding.
Yvonne Byrd is Executive Director of Montpelier Community Justice. Eva Gumprecht is a former social worker from Adamant, who is now a volunteer. They spoke with VPR’s Jane Lindholm about the program and what’s at stake.