GREENSBORO, N.C. -- For the first time, a statewide summit in North Carolina was dedicated to improving and supporting reentry efforts.

  • Reuben Young, a North Carolina Department of North Carolina official, says the state releases between 22,000 and 24,000 offenders each year
  • A positive or negative reentry process can make a big impact. It can be the difference between finding a job and being productive to recidivism.
  • Over 500 people attended the day-long summit and discussed areas to focus on like housing and job searches

Reuben Young, a North Carolina Department of North Carolina official, says the state releases between 22,000 and 24,000 offenders each year.

A positive or negative reentry process can make a big impact. It can be the difference between finding a job and being productive to recidivism.

"Across the country and also probably in North Carolina, anywhere from 25 and 40 percent go back within a three-year period of time from being released. So, that's a lot of new victimization when you think about it that way. People don't just come back and say, 'I want to go back to prison.' It's because they're committing a crime," said Dennis Gaddy of Community Success Initiative.

Over 500 people attended the day-long summit and discussed areas to focus on like housing and job searches.

The fact the summit occurred was encouraging to many.

"I think it's the beginning of a change of mind and hopefully a change of heart. Not only in terms of people who go back to their communities, but those that they interact with. We have to change our minds and our hearts as well," Young said.