Partakers

CONTACT:

230 Central Street
Auburndale, MA 02466
617-795-2725
www.partakers.org

Lanny Kutakoff, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Almost all prisoners (97%) return to society, but prison rehabilitation is inadequate—about half will be reincarcerated within three years. Partakers was founded in 1997 as a non-sectarian but faith-based program, exploring new ways to reconcile prisoners and society. Their program is based on "mutual accountability," the notion that prisoners are accountable to victims and to society, while society is accountable to help offenders learn, change, and make amends. For example, education: a college degree reduces recidivism to less than 10%. Boston University has long offered college courses in prisons (currently four), but only for prisoners who have already gained nine college credits. Partakers recruits volunteers to sponsor prisoners as they pursue a college degree. It currently supports 90 prisoners in the College Beyond Bars program, and has over 200 volunteers that provide over 10,000 hours of services annually. Its workshops on alternatives to violence and "emotional and spiritual literacy," advocacy for rehabilitative criminal justice reforms, and public education about prisons and prisoners, are worthy attempts to tackle an enormous social problem. You can help as a volunteer and/or donor.

(2002: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)