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Marcus Pollard

Justice Systems Reform Counsel
marcus@scsj.org

Marcus Pollard joined the Southern Coalition for Social Justice as a Staff Attorney with the Justice System Reform team in June 2020. Marcus is a licensed attorney in North Carolina as well as the District of Columbia. Before working with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Marcus worked with the Orange County Local Reentry Council advocating for fair housing and employment opportunities. Currently a board member of two reentry organization, Marcus continues to fight for change in post-release legislation.

A North Carolina native, Marcus attended North Carolina State University graduating with a B.A. in Communication, Public Relations in 2012. Marcus then attended North Carolina Central University School of Law, where he was the President of the Public Interest Law Origination, Board Member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, student intern with Southern Coalition for Social Justice Clean Slate Project, and recipient of the North Carolina Central University Student Service Impact Award. Marcus has a dedicated career of advocating for social justice and against racial inequality and lives by his fraternal moto “culture for service, service for humanity.”

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Southern Coalition for Social Justice

Partnering with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the south to defend and advance their political, social and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing and communications.

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Southern Coalition for Social Justice Launches New Toolkit to Help Individuals Successfully Transition from Incarceration

December 16, 2020 by Staff Focus Area: Criminal Justice, Justice System Reform

For Immediate Release
Dec. 16, 2020

For media inquiries:
Michelle Rash
mrash@rlfcommunications.com
336-553-1733 (office)
336-823-5501 (mobile)

Durham, N.C. — The Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) has launched a new criminal justice reform initiative to better prepare individuals who have been released from federal or state prison to navigate the re-entry process. A key component of this initiative is the “Your First 48 Toolkit,” a guided resource that connects formerly incarcerated individuals with the resources and service providers they will initially need to help conquer the barriers to a successful re-entry.

The toolkit promotes social and economic independence through relationship building, strong community involvement, education and public support. It outlines key steps for everything from getting a driver’s license and finding housing to applying for financial aid to help pay for college or vocational training.

An average of 3,351 individuals were released from North Carolina prisons each month in 2019, and more than 1.7 million people in the state have a criminal record.

“Returning to your community with a criminal record can be an uphill battle due to the collateral consequences of incarceration that limit access to employment, housing, healthcare and education,” said Sala Abdallah, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Community Organizer and one-time offender. “Before leaving prison, I took a re-entry course, but I was given unreliable information that led to many disappointments upon my release. That experience inspired me to want to find ways to create a more positive release experience for others, and this toolkit is a good first step towards that goal.”

Nationally, there are nearly 38,000 laws that create economic and social obstacles for individuals re-entering society. Additionally, 86% of employers consider a person’s criminal record when making hiring decisions, making it difficult for formerly incarcerated individuals to obtain gainful employment.

“This toolkit underscores how imperative it is to quickly connect with the correct resources once released from prison,” said Marcus Pollard, Counsel for Justice System Reform with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “Our hope is that individuals can use this to have the correct resources, get some form of security and develop a solid plan.”

While it contains information and advice relevant to any individual being released from incarceration, the initial “Your First 48 Toolkit” focuses on resources available in Durham County. In the coming months, additional toolkits focused on resources in other parts of the state will be released. SCSJ has also created a video to supplement the toolkit. The video, the toolkit and additional resources can be found online at southerncoalition.org/yourfirst48.

Key Contact

Marcus Pollard, Justice Systems Reform Counsel
marcus@scsj.org

Category iconCriminal Justice,  Press Release

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