Impact Charleston looking to reduce recidivism with new initiative

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) According to Impact Charleston, 75% of formerly incarcerated people in South Carolina end up back in prison after being released. They are working to change that.

Thursday night, formerly incarcerated people and veterans shared stories of how the initiative has helped them make a change in their lives.

“We are not giving people fish, we are teaching people to fish and so we’ve seen recidivism rates go down from people that participate in our classes through our teaching at the al cannon detention center,” said Stuart Williams, a board member at Impact Charleston.

Through the classes, Steven Davenport has been able to create a business and regain custody of his son after nine years. He wants to show others they can have a successful path after incarceration.

“I can’t give him those 9 years back, but what I can do is take my experience what my path was what I’ve learned and gathered on the way out and possibly help other people in the same situation not make the same mistakes,” said Davenport.

Panel member Freddie Green said the program helped change his life.

“I always had a dream of going back to school, while incarnated I was bored with nothing to do and while I was back there the program actually grabbed my attention and made me start seeing life in a different way,” said Green.

Thursday night, the organization presented a new community created by inmates taking classes at the al cannon detention center called Brighton cove, which would house former veterans and ex-offenders.

It would give them access to important resources and capital needed to be successful and serve as a place for them to mingle with the community while making the transition back to civilian life go more smoothly.

“I’ve had numerous people who all of a sudden realize and will tell you and look into your eyes and say if we had this access when we were young, we wouldn’t be where we are now,” said Williams.

You can learn more about the program at impact here.