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Written by Shambhu Sharan, Contributor to The Shorthorn |
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Thursday, 30 April 2009 06:54 PM |
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When & Where What: A Day for Social Justice: The 2009 Dallas Interfaith Exoneree Conference When: Today 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Where: Christian Chapel Temple of Faith, 14120 Noel Road, Dallas Special Guest Speaker: Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins Price: $5 for students, free for exonerees & their families The School of Social Work is hosting a Day for Social Justice: The 2009 Dallas Interfaith Exoneree Conference, an event intended to raise funds and awareness to post-prison life. Jaimie Page, School of Social Work assistant professor, said the school’s Exoneree Project is different than the university’s Innocence Project. “If they are exonerated and not parolees, they come out of jail with no money, no housing — unless they have a family,” Page said, who is also the project director. The School of Social Work’s Exoneree Project wants to change that. Page became involved with the project in 2008 after she heard a panel of exonerees speak at a 2007 conference. She traveled to Austin three times this semester to educate policymakers about the need for exoneree services. “Two of our exonerees have four children, and they have a very difficult time getting jobs because even though they are exonerated their names still shows as criminals in databases,” she said. Page organized the conference to help exonerees of different faiths speak to their churches, as well as have the church leaders meet with them. “Social injustice is a global issue but it is also a local community issue,” she said. The event is open to everyone. To register, e-mail jlpage@uta.edu. |