Spotlight

3 February 10	In Reentry Effort, SBLS Increase Chances For Former Convict To Find Employment SBLS is proud to announce that client Mr. R, who served eight years in prison with an exemplary record, just received a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities (CRD) from the Division of Parole. Having now obtained a CRD, which creates a legal presumption of rehabilitation, Mr. R’s ability to find employment will be greatly enhanced. Mr. R was sent to prison for eight years and is currently on parole after pleading guilty to robbery, a Class B felony. The crime took place in 1994 but Mr. R was not sentenced until 1999. This was his only interaction with the criminal justice system, having no other convictions. SBLS spent a long time on Mr. R’s application gathering and organizing his documents and writing his affidavit. The application was submitted to the Division of Parole in August 2008 and was bounced back in September 2008 and resubmitted soon thereafter. The District Attorney involved in prosecuting Mr. R wrote a letter encouraging early parole for Mr. R due to the minimal involvement he had in the crime as well as his assistance in testifying against the main perpetrator. A copy of this letter was submitted in support of his application for a CRD. Mr. R was an exemplary prisoner and his application for a CRD contained a description of his good work and training undertaken while he was in prison. This evidence included training in AIDS peer education and human services at Boricua College which he utilized to counsel his fellow prisoners. Although Mr. R was not HIV positive, he gave presentations to small groups and counseled individuals about the importance of getting tested, how to take care of themselves so that they could remain healthy, and the importance of proper treatment such as taking medication regularly and properly. He often accompanied individuals to get tested for HIV because they were scared to go alone. Mr. R has been a delivery driver since he left prison. However, he was injured on the job a few months ago and suffers from multiple sclerosis. Mr. R is considering further education in human services and social work. With the CRD that SBLS helped him to obtain, his ability to find employment in this area will be greatly enhanced. (Employment) \| More SBLS Spotlights >

3 February 10

In Reentry Effort, SBLS Increase Chances For Former Convict To Find Employment

SBLS is proud to announce that client Mr. R, who served eight years in prison with an exemplary record, just received a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities (CRD) from the Division of Parole. Having now obtained a CRD, which creates a legal presumption of rehabilitation, Mr. R’s ability to find employment will be greatly enhanced.

Mr. R was sent to prison for eight years and is currently on parole after pleading guilty to robbery, a Class B felony. The crime took place in 1994 but Mr. R was not sentenced until 1999. This was his only interaction with the criminal justice system, having no other convictions.

SBLS spent a long time on Mr. R’s application gathering and organizing his documents and writing his affidavit. The application was submitted to the Division of Parole in August 2008 and was bounced back in September 2008 and resubmitted soon thereafter. The District Attorney involved in prosecuting Mr. R wrote a letter encouraging early parole for Mr. R due to the minimal involvement he had in the crime as well as his assistance in testifying against the main perpetrator. A copy of this letter was submitted in support of his application for a CRD.

Mr. R was an exemplary prisoner and his application for a CRD contained a description of his good work and training undertaken while he was in prison. This evidence included training in AIDS peer education and human services at Boricua College which he utilized to counsel his fellow prisoners. Although Mr. R was not HIV positive, he gave presentations to small groups and counseled individuals about the importance of getting tested, how to take care of themselves so that they could remain healthy, and the importance of proper treatment such as taking medication regularly and properly. He often accompanied individuals to get tested for HIV because they were scared to go alone.

Mr. R has been a delivery driver since he left prison. However, he was injured on the job a few months ago and suffers from multiple sclerosis. Mr. R is considering further education in human services and social work. With the CRD that SBLS helped him to obtain, his ability to find employment in this area will be greatly enhanced.

(Employment) | More SBLS Spotlights >