What is it like to get out of prison and start over? QCC Professor of Criminal Justice Kristy Glover spent her sabbatical researching this question and creating “Voices of Justice," a documentary film that she produced, filmed and edited herself.
“Voice of Justice” features accounts from three men who have firsthand experience with the justice system. The documentary highlights how multiple support systems are critical for re-entry, the period of time when individuals are transitioning out of incarceration. Support from family members, community organizations and probation officers, along with raising awareness to reduce stigma, were all mentioned as ways to reduce recidivism and influence personal and professional growth.
“There are so many things that we expect of individuals when they’re just getting released. They have to get a job, pay their monthly supervision fees and find a place to live,” Glover said.
Glover witnessed the re-entry process during her time as a parole officer for the state of Georgia, but the connection is also personal. Her grandfather encountered challenges when he was released from prison, which left a lasting impression on the family, including Glover’s mother, who also joined law enforcement, eventually becoming a police captain.
In the documentary, Glover interviews Mario Rivera, who spoke about his own re-entry experience. Rivera praised Worcester-area nonprofits such as Legendary Legacies and Open Sky Community Services for providing services such as counseling and assistance with obtaining a laptop and hygiene products. He also acknowledged his family as a large source of support.
“Without initial help in the first 60 days of me coming home, my progress wouldn’t have taken off the way it did,” Rivera said.
Rivera didn’t wait until he was released to start preparing. He completed QCC’s culinary re-entry program, a partnership with the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction that teaches skills needed to work in food service and includes multiple certifications upon successful completion. In “Voices of Justice,” Rivera shared that during the program, he realized education was a vital part of his path to a new future. After his release, he enrolled at QCC and in the Liberal Arts for Returning Citizens (LARC)program at Clark University.
“The culinary program has had a significant impact on hundreds of incarcerated individuals,” said Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. “We are proud to have helped Mario build a successful path forward after incarceration.”
“Donna McCabe [QCC Hospitality/Culinary Program Manager/Educator] became one of my biggest inspirations. She allowed us to find a new way of therapy through food. And then eventually we earned certificates that allowed us to work,” Rivera said.
Anthony Bryant, who also appeared in “Voices of Justice,” has seen multiple sides of the criminal justice system. Before he was incarcerated, he held roles as a corrections officer, a deputy sheriff and a highway patrolman.
“Law enforcement is not just a job; it’s your identity. And losing that role can produce deep internal shame,” Bryant shared.
Bryant, however, drew on his law enforcement training to stay calm and focused during his incarceration, using that discipline as a foundation for working to improve his life. As his release date approached, he didn’t receive any re-entry preparation from the prison, so he got ready by reading self-help books and journaling.
After his sentence, Bryant relied on employment assistance programs, but he was often steered into manual labor positions that didn’t reflect his skills, making it difficult to rebuild his professional career.
In addition to family and community programs, both Bryant and Rivera said that a strong relationship with a probation or parole officer can make a positive difference. They noted that the stigma of having a criminal record can be detrimental to progress, but even one person who sees past their mistakes can be instrumental. They hope others can offer the same grace to those who are going through re-entry.
“People change when their dignity is restored, responsibility is entrusted gradually and their story is allowed to mean something more than their worst decision,” Bryant remarked. “It’s a mindset shift that many people and legislators don’t understand.”
Rivera and Bryant have also taken it upon themselves to help others with similar experiences. Bryant has become an ethics trainer for law enforcement and other public service organizations. Rivera has stayed connected with Legendary Legacies to educate others and advocate for those in the re-entry process.
“I’m taking accountability in my own life for the things that I’ve done,” Rivera said. “Some people might not be receptive to my situation, but I take it as motivation to do better.”
"Voices of Justice” can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=odTT0Stx3Tg.