Partnership for Safety and Justice featured in Portland Observer

Partnership for Safety and Justice’s “Think Outside the Box Campaign” was featured in a January 2nd news story in The Portland Observer. The article focuses on the PSJ's campaign to remove the question "Have you ever been convicted of a felony ?" from the initial Multnomah County employment application and the story of two women who believe change is not only possible, it will happen when we come together as a community and organize for social change.

The Observer article talks about some of the barriers Paula Drake and Patty Katz have been able to overcome, becoming a success in the community. Drake has been a member of PSJ and on the "Think Outside the Box" Speaker’s Bureau for more than a year. As an activist she has learned to stand up and speak out, helping to break the stigma of people with a felony conviction. She has been able to help educate elected officials, college students and members of the community about some of the re-entry barriers that people face.

PSJ has taken a leadership role to dismantle one barrier formerly incarcerated people face as they re-enter back into the community with felony convictions. The “Think Outside the Box” campaign works to open up employment opportunities for people who are rebuilding their lives after paying a debt for past criminal behavior.

Multnomah County has joined a growing number of local governments including Boston, Chicago and San Francisco who have looked at eliminating barriers to employment for people with felony convictions, recognizing that employment is a necessary tool to lessen and/or end recidivism.

Check the Wednesday January 2, 2008 issue of the Observer to read the full story, Former Convicts Look Beyond Barriers, on the Portland Observer website.