Western Joins The Returning Citizens Assistance Network (RCAN)

The Returning Citizens Assistance Network (RCAN) is organized by New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in partnership with the DC Public Defender Service (PDS) as a network of 15 DC congregations of various denominations and faiths responding to requests for assistance for individuals returning from incarceration. Requests may also include individuals currently incarcerated. PDS staff identify client needs for RCAN organizers who then relay them to the network. Individuals and congregations then respond with the requested assistance.

The need is greater now as a result of covid-19. The work of RCAN has intensified because of the strain that the Covid pandemic has put on the prison system. RCAN has responded directly to 20 requests for assistance since March and many of those were to help people who have been directly affected by the pandemic. The network has donated clothes and gift cards, provided games, books, and puzzles to incarcerated youth and helped others stay connected to the outside world. Here are three examples:

·        The Bureau of Prisons initiated a “compassionate release” policy because of the pandemic, letting some elderly prisoners out early to protect them from the danger of infection in prisons. RCAN assisted six of these individuals who returned to the District of Columbia after serving long prison sentences. Assistance included donating clothes and gift cards for several men and identifying mentors who could assist their return to the community

·        The pandemic caused many educational programs to be cancelled at the DC facility for incarcerated youth, and RCAN members donated games, books, puzzles and other educational items to the facility so that the teenagers who are incarcerated who have things to do during the time they were more isolated than usual.

·        The Bureau of Prisons also reduced the contact its inmates could have with each other, increasing the need for reading materials and other connections to the outside world. RCAN congregations sent books and magazines to two different prisoners and also found pen pals to write to an elderly individual who was isolated by the new rules during the pandemic.

RCAN Clergy also signed a letter to the District Council in support of criminal record sealing and expungement reform legislation. A comprehensive bill would support effective community reintegration of those with arrests, charges and convictions on their records.

Are you interested in participating with RCAN? Requests vary but fall generally into 4 categories: clothing, emergency financial needs, correspondence with incarcerated people, and mentoring. There is no requirement to respond to requests; individuals respond according to their interests and abilities. Some congregations are very active and responsive; others respond from time to time. Western has started a CCB group to relay requests to Western members who wish to participate. You may join the group directly via CCB or contact Susie Farr (susanfarr05@gmail.com) for more information.