I have been a Fairshake Orderly for some months now and it has been such a rewarding experience because I get to help AIC’s on their way out the door prepare for their journey by making sure they are prepared to step into society with all the tools they need to thrive and achieve success.
What is Fairshake you may ask?
Fairshake is a National Web Based Reentry Resource Center that is tasked with helping AIC’s transition back into their respective communities, communities that are willing to give them a second chance, and it does that by providing a service that furnishes specific information to each group of stakeholders which are:
FORMER FELONS; FAMILY & FRIENDS; EMPLOYERS; PROPERTY MANAGERS; COMMUNITY; & CORRECTIONAL/REENTRY STAFF
The hardware provided by the Reentry Department is located in the Law Library in Education. It is loaded with tools that include: Resources; resumes; business plans; how to improve credit; local & state resources within your cities; information for building transformation and trust; employment support; free education opportunities; basic tutorials on how to use computers; how to find your birth certificate or apply for social security & driver licenses; Shelters & affordable housing to include transitional housing; and they offer FREE membership pages that AIC’s families can run on the outside to already prepare them so that upon release they’ll already be established and can transition right into the community with a page full of resources saved and ready for use.
When AIC’s enter the Law Library the law clerk has a sign-in sheet that an AIC can reserve 30 minute slots to navigate the Fairshake software. Monday through Wednesday are reserved for AIC’s who have three years or less to their release date. If there’s available slot and AIC’s don’t fit the criteria they can still come over and sign up because it’s for the community to prepare themselves for release. If the AIC has a long sentence, Thursday are for AIC’S with Long Sentence terms & Life. When developing this system to be utilized in the library we had it in mind to create a system that helps everyone.
As an AIC it is important to remember that you never know when a law may change and an immediate or compassionate release could be granted, so its important to always be prepared. Have a plan B, but also have a C,D, and E. Because you never know when a plan may fall through. You need to always be prepared. I am very humbled to be an Education Resource Reentry Orderly. Myself, “Peer Specialist Lesesne” & “AIC Motta” dedicate everyday we can to helping AIC’s with questions or concerns they may have as they explore the Resource software.
