Josh Kraft, a veteran nonprofit leader and mayoral candidate, is making prison reentry a focal point of his campaign in Boston. With over 30 years of experience at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including a decade as president and CEO, Kraft has dedicated his efforts to supporting individuals reintegrating into society after incarceration.
Kraft is calling for the revival of ‘Operation Exit,’ a program originally launched under former Mayor Martin J. Walsh that aimed to offer apprenticeship opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. He emphasized that the initiative was erroneously discontinued, and he aims to restore it to help provide crucial job opportunities for this community.
In a recent statement, Kraft highlighted the important role city government can play as one of Boston’s largest employers. He proposed the creation of a commission to analyze which areas of city government could benefit from hiring individuals who have successfully turned their lives around after serving prison sentences.
Kraft stated, “For me, this is an issue about more than compassion for people who are reentering our city. It’s also about doing what’s smart, doing everything we can to give this community the best chance of finding stable employment and careers.”
His remarks underscored the broader societal benefits, contending that employing formerly incarcerated people could center on deterrence, ultimately benefiting neighborhoods and families.
In addition to reinstating ‘Operation Exit,’ Kraft plans to establish a ‘Boston Reentry Network,’ a collaborative effort that will include academic institutions, government officials, and nonprofits. The network will address the challenges returning citizens face and create new opportunities.
Kraft is looking to partner with local organizations like Justice 4 Housing, Petey Greene, and the Tufts University Prison Initiative. He also aims to collaborate with community colleges such as Roxbury and Bunker Hill, ensuring access to educational resources for those who have recently been incarcerated.
As part of his proposed initiatives, Kraft outlined a 90-day plan that would aid individuals preparing for release from incarceration. This comprehensive approach would include professional development seminars, financial literacy training, and resources focused on physical and mental health, alongside counseling aimed at reconnecting with family and friends.
At a separate event, current Mayor Michelle Wu defended her administration’s initiatives aimed at aiding those returning from incarceration, criticizing Kraft’s recent comments as “irresponsible Kraft macaroni bologna.” She noted the substantial increase in funding for the city’s Office of Returning Citizens and highlighted the growth of staffing from two to eleven since she took office.
Wu also pointed out that ‘Operation Exit’ ended before her tenure but argued that her administration has built upon its groundwork with new programs that connect residents to city jobs, especially within the building trades.
Supporters at Kraft’s event expressed their gratitude for his commitment to this pressing issue, showcasing personal testimonials about the importance of resources for returning citizens. Stephen Pina, who stood alongside Kraft, shared his experiences of overcoming a 28-year incarceration for a murder conviction. Released just over three years ago after new evidence revealed police misconduct in his case, Pina praised Kraft for his support, describing him as a friend who attends his court dates.
Pina emphasized the obstacles many returning citizens face, saying, “Coming home, the difficulty was one, getting ID, finding housing, finding jobs. People look at us like we’re the worst. We’re not the worst thing we’ve done.”
Romilda Pereira, another of Kraft’s supporters, reflected on her own experiences and how she relied on support systems during her transition post-incarceration. As the program director at the nonprofit Project Turnaround, Pereira noted the current lack of resources available compared to previous programs initiated under Walsh’s administration.
She acknowledged Kraft and other private donors for their efforts to support nonprofits, stating, “When the funding is low because the city or the state isn’t supporting something like this, they do.” Pereira highlighted real success stories of individuals in the room who have regained autonomy by securing housing thanks to these supportive networks.
As the campaign unfolds, Kraft’s approach to addressing the challenges faced by returning citizens seems to resonate with a community eager for change and additional support.
image source from：bostonglobe
