Atlanta - The Governor’s Office of Transition, Support and Reentry (GOTSR) has extended an invitation to the community to attend the upcoming stakeholder meeting in DeKalb County to learn more about the new Georgia Prisoner Reentry Initiative (GA-PRI) pilot site.

“Reaching out to important areas such as DeKalb County is a critical component in ensuring our reform efforts have long term success,” said Jay Neal, executive director of GOTSR. “Staying involved with the local officials and community is the most impactful way we can ensure strong support for those beginning their reentry,” added Neal.

Gov. Nathan Deal says community outreach is key to this reentry initiative. “It is imperative to the long-term success of our state’s criminal justice reforms that we ensure rehabilitated offenders receive support not only while behind bars, but while transitioning back into society,” said Deal. “It is my hope that our state’s reentry program efforts, combined with the input received from this series of events held by the Office of Transition, Support and Reentry, will help to reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars and, above all, keep Georgians safe,” added Deal.

A local reentry council, in collaboration with GOTSR staff, local corrections professionals, state agency personnel and community service providers will assist DeKalb County returning citizens in navigating the barriers to successful reentry in an effort to ultimately increase public safety and reduce recidivism in DeKalb County and in Georgia.

Launched in 2014, GA-PRI is a critical component of Governor Nathan Deal’s reentry efforts as adopted by the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform. GOTSR staff and their collaborating agencies are committed to bringing Georgia to the forefront as a national leader among states in recidivism reduction. The meeting will be held on August 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the DeKalb County School District Administrative and Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. in Stone Mountain, GA.

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact Jay Neal at the Governor’s Office of Transition, Support and Reentry @ 404-656-9770 or [email protected].