Mayor Cherelle Parker introduced “Flip The Script” a publication to help ease problems many face trying to rebuild their lives. — TRIBUNE PHOTO/STACY M. BROWN
Philadelphia officials on Tuesday unveiled a handbook that consolidates job, housing, healthcare and civil rights resources into a single guide for residents exiting the criminal justice system.
Mayor Cherelle Parker introduced “Flip The Script,” a publication to help ease problems many face trying to rebuild their lives: a criminal record that can outlast a jail sentence, numerous job rejections, apartment searches that turn in dead ends and a maze of government offices, paperwork and unreturned phone calls.
The handbook was produced by the Division of Reentry and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
Speaking alongside public safety officials, community advocates and state lawmakers at the Division of Reentry’s Neighborhood Resource Center on Broad Street, Parker acknowledged that many residents never find the services the city already provides, and she called that a failure of government, not of the people seeking help.
“I get very frustrated sometimes when I know the work that you all are doing on a daily basis, and then our people don’t know anything about the services and supports and the programs that we are offering because you need to have a PhD to navigate the City of Philadelphia’s website,” Parker said.
The handbook, available in print and with a scannable code for digital access, is intended to reduce confusion and covers employment, housing, identification, public benefits, education, healthcare and legal protections, including what employers may legally consider when evaluating applicants with criminal records.
For Assata Thomas, executive director of the Division of Reentry, the challenges do not begin or end at a prison gate. Those who have encountered the criminal justice system without being incarcerated can face many of the same obstacles, she said.
“For people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system, the consequences of that involvement can extend far beyond the sentence, a court date or conviction,” Thomas said.
She described a world in which people are expected to become financially independent, support their families and establish stable homes while struggling to obtain the credentials and opportunities needed to achieve those goals.
“I often say that reentry is not about asking for a second chance. It’s about having a fair chance to move forward,” Thomas said.
The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which investigates discrimination complaints and enforces the city’s civil rights laws, helped develop the handbook. Its executive director, Renee Chenault Fattah, previously worked on pardons and expungements with Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity.
Chenault Fattah said the publication explains what employers can and cannot do when considering applicants with criminal histories. It also addresses voting rights, a particularly timely topic as Pennsylvania’s Nov. 3 general election approaches.
“With rare exception, anybody with a record can vote in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” she said.
Pennsylvania generally permits people with felony convictions to vote once they are no longer incarcerated, though certain restrictions apply. Eligible people must also meet voter registration requirements.
Chenault Fattah drew on her family’s experience with the justice system and her memories of growing up under segregation to explain why she considers access to information and political participation essential.
“When I was born, Jim Crow was the law of the land,” she said, recalling civil rights activists who risked imprisonment, violence, and death to secure voting rights.
State Sen. Sharif Street, who attended the unveiling, argued that reentry assistance should be part of Philadelphia’s crime-prevention efforts, particularly when employment and stable housing offer alternatives to illegal activity.
“Some of those folks that wouldn’t have been filling up our jails are too busy contributing to their communities and raising families because of the work,” Street said.
Public Safety Director Adam Geer also linked the initiative to the city’s violence-prevention strategy, noting that his office oversees public safety programs beyond traditional policing.
“We know that the vast majority of our folks who are experiencing incarceration are coming back to our community,” Geer said. “When you come back to us, we got our Division of Reentry.”
The event took place in partnership with One Day At A Time, the North Philadelphia community organization led by Mel Wells, whose work includes helping people facing addiction, homelessness, and other hardships. Parker credited Wells and his community partners with providing the neighborhood relationships that government agencies need to reach residents.
Chenault Fattah invited residents to offer criticism and recommend additional resources as the handbook develops. She described its purpose by highlighting the struggles of people trying to reclaim their lives after incarceration.
“The power of the story isn’t in the falling,” she said. “The power of the story is in getting up. And having somebody extend a hand to help you get up.”
Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Experience the passion of Philadelphia Eagles fans as they gear up for game day. From tailgate food and team spirit to music and nonstop chants of “Fly, Eagles, Fly,” Eagles fans turn the pregame gathering into a celebration of Philadelphia pride.