New Director For Mayor's Efforts To Help Ex Offenders Become Productive Citizens
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney has appointed a new executive director for his office of Re-Integration Services for Ex-offenders.
Ceciley-Bradford Jones has a long, varied background in providing services to those in need, most recently helping to find employment for people with recent criminal convictions.
As executive director of the office know as RISE, she says she'll work with other providers to restore promise to the lives of those who've served their time.
"We really need to expect more of reentry and we need to do what we know is right."
For Mayor Kenney, it's an important part of his efforts to reduce the prison population and, he says, a personal belief.
"These individuals can become productive citizens, fathers, mothers and family members and taxpayers, which is an important thing. We want new taxpayers."
The mayor says the city can't afford to write off ex-offenders.
Some 30,000 people returning to the city after incarceration each year.
