>> WELCOME TO "NEXT UP."

I'M HERE WITH BILL McLELLAN KNOWN AS THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF SECOND CHANCE.

WE HAVE A REALLY EXCITING PROGRAM TONIGHT.

JOINING US IS THE REENTRY MANAGER FOR THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND ANTWAN WHITE.

HE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THE PROGRAM AND THE EFFORTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS ENGAGES IN TO HELP THE VERY -- CRITICAL ROLE HELPING PEOPLE WHO WERE INCARCERATED WHEN THEY GET OUT, MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER ONCE THEY RETURN TO SOCIETY.

LET START WITH YOU, ALEX.

TELL US ABOUT ABOUT THE EFFORTS.

>> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE.

KIND OF THE EXCITING STUFF THAT WE'RE DOING.

WE RELEASED LOT OF INDIVIDUALS OUT OF OUR PRISON HERE IN THE CITY OF MISSOURI.

ABOUT 13,000 ANNUALLY.

THAT'S LOT OF PEOPLE COMING BACK TO OUR MISSOURI COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE REALLY GOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PUTTING THEM BACK IN THE COMMUNITY IS LITTLE BIT BETTER FROM WHEN THEY CAME IN.

WE BASE IT OFF A FEW THINGS.

WE PROVIDE THE EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS TO WORK WITH GIVING SOME HARD SKILLS AS WELL AS SOFT SKILLS.

THERE'S SOME KIND OF COGNITIVE THINK, BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS.

WE TRY TO ADDRESS THE BASIC NEEDS.

WE TALK ABOUT BASIC NEEDS TO REENTRY, HOW DO WE GET THEM HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THAT INCLUDES SHELTER, THAT INCLUDES FOOD.

THAT INCLUDES WATER AND CLOTHING.

WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER BIG ONE, IS SUBSTANCE USE.

WE REALLY TRY OUR BEST TO ENSURE SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED.

WE MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND MEDICAL SERVICES.

WE HAVE A BIG PUSH FOR EMPLOYMENT, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE COMING BACK OUT IN OUR COMMUNITIES, READY TO WORK AND BE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.

ANOTHER BIG PIECE, MAKING SURE WE PREPARE THEM TO GO BACK INTO THEIR FAMILY UNITS.

AFTER SOMEBODY TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, GOING BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

DAD OR MOM WAS AWAY FROM THE HOME FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

HOW DO WE PREPARE THEM TO GO BACK INTO THAT FAMILY UNIT.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

AS WE THINK ABOUT REENTRY, THIS IS A VERY OVERARCHING TYPE OF SERVICE THAT WE BEGIN TO PROVIDE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

>> ANTWAN GIVE US A SKETCH ABOUT YOURSELF.

HOW OLD YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU GREW UP AND HOW YOU SUCCEEDED.

>> I'M 45 CURRENTLY.

MY BIRTHDAY IS NEXT FRIDAY.

I'LL BE 46.

I STARTED GETTING IN TROUBLE.

I GREW UP HERE IN ST. LOUIS.

I WAS BORN IN ILLINOIS.

RIGHT IN EAST ST. LOUIS.

I WAS RAISED IN THIS REGION.

AT THE AGE OF 16, I STARTED GETTING IN TROUBLE AS A JUVENILE.

AS AN ADULT, AT THE AGE OF 21, I FOUND MYSELF INCARCERATED.

RUNNING WITH THE WRONG CROWD, PARTICIPATING IN WRONG ACTIVITIES.

AT THE RIPE AGE OF 26, I WAS RELEASED.

>> WHEN YOU WERE 21 YOU WERE INCARCERATED, IT WAS ON WHAT CHARGES?

>> ARMED ROBBERY.

I DID SIX YEARS ON A TEN-YEAR STINT FOR ARMED ROBBERY.

I WAS RELEASED AND CAME BACK INTO SOCIETY THE DAY I WAS PAROLED.

I WENT ABOUT FINDING A JOB, TRYING TO ADJUST TO SOCIETY.

A FEW YEARS AFTER THAT I FOUND MYSELF INCARCERATED AGAIN.

THIS TIME IT WAS FOR ASSAULT AGAINST A FAMILY MEMBER WHICH HAPPEN TO BE A CHILD.

I DID TEN YEARS FOR THAT.

I WAS RELEASED IN '19.

THE CHARGES WERE IN '09.

I WAS RELEASED IN '19.

THROUGHOUT MY INCARCERATION, THE FIRST TIME, I HAD JUST PARTICIPATED IN ALL THE THINGS THAT LED ME THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHEN I CAME HOME, I WAS STILL KIND OF PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME THING.

I DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT.

THE SECOND TIME WHILE I'M SITTING THERE IN PRISON WONDERING WHERE MY LIFE WENT WRONG, I WANTED TO CHANGE.

THAT'S WHERE IT STARTED.

INSIDE BOWLING GREEN IN MISSOURI, INSTITUTION.

>> WAS IT WITH HELP FROM THE PRISON OR JUST INNER THING OR MOSTLY YOURSELF?

>> THE INSTITUTION HELPED ME AND GUIDED ME TOWARDS WHERE I ENDED UP.

BUT THE DECISION TO TURN IT AROUND IT STARTED WITH MYSELF.

IT STARTED WITH THE FAMILY THAT I HAD NEGLECTED OVER THE YEARS BY BEING IN PRISON.

I WANTED TO GET IT RIGHT.

I CHANGED MY HEART AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HELPED ME CHANGE MY MIND.

WITH THAT, I ENTERED WHAT'S CALLED A TRANSITION CENTER HERE IN ST. LOUIS.

THE FATHER SUPPORT PROGRAM.

THEY GUIDED ME BACK TO SOCIETY THE WAY THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING.

NOW I FIND IN POSITION WHERE I'M ABLE TO BE PRODUCTIVE.

I PAY TAXES NOT JUST ONE WAY BUT TWO WAYS.

I WORK FULL-TIME AND I'M A BUSINESS OWNER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT BRIEFLY.

WE GOT A CHANCE TO TALK TO YOU.

TELL US WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

WHAT YOU DID AS YOU GOT OUT AND HOW YOU GOT -- TELL THE FOLKS WHERE YOU ARE TODAY IN 2023.

>> WHILE I WAS INCARCERATED, I TOOK A CDL COURSE, VOCATIONAL TRAINING HAVE INSIDE OF DOC.

IT'S A CDL CLASS THAT TEACHES YOU.

THEY HAVE A SIMULATOR THAT YOU GET UP IN, LIKE YOU DRIVING A REAL TRUCK.

I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE TRUCKS INCARCERATED.

THEN I WAS RELEASED.

I WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM THERE.

GUIDED ME HOW TO DEAL WITH THE FAMILY, HOW TO REACCLIMATED BACK INTO SOCIETY WITHOUT INSTITUTIONAL THINKING.

I GOT A JOB WITH A LAUNDRY COMPANY WHEN I CAME HOME.

I ELEVATED THROUGH THAT EMPLOYMENT TO JUST AMAZING HEIGHTS.

WHEN I STARTED THE JOB BACK IN '19 I STARTED OUT MAKING $11 AN HOUR.

IN MATH TERMS, IN A YEAR, THAT'S $22,000 A YEAR.

THAT WAS IN 2019.

IN 2020, I MADE $37,000 FOR THE YEAR.

IN 2021, I MADE $87,000.

IN 2022, I MADE $102,000.

IN 2023 I'M ON PACE TO MAKE $120,000.

IT'S ALL FROM HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO BEING BETTER THAN WHAT I WAS.

I KNOW I'M CAPABLE.

>> YOU SAY YOU DID CDL TRAINING IN PRISON.

DRIVING?

>> YES.

>> I NEVER HEARD THAT.

YOU HAVE A SIMULATOR THAT YOU LEARN HOW TO DRIVE TRUCKS?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THAT, ALEX?

>> WE HAD THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT FACILITIES THAT HAVE OUR CDL PROGRAM.

NORTHEAST CORRECTIONAL CENTER BOWLING GREEN MISSOURI.

WE TRAIN OUR POPULATION TO BECOME TRUCK DRIVERS.

WE LOOK AT THE NEEDS IN OUR ECONOMY HERE IN MISSOURI, THE NEED FOR TRUCK DRIVERS IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

THERE'S EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LICENSED DRIVERS.

LOT OF PEOPLE WILL ASK, HOW DO YOU GET THEM PHYSICALLY LICENSED, WE DON'T NECESSARILY ALLOW THEM TO DRIVE ACTUAL TRUCKS TO GET THE ACTUAL TRAINING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

WE DO ALL OF THE WRITTEN CERTIFICATIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

THEY COME OUT WITH WRITTEN TEST ALREADY IN HAND SO THEY CAN GO INTO.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHANGED GUIDELINES ON THAT TO REQUIRE SOME EXTRA ADDITIONAL TRAINING BEHIND THE WHEELS.

>> ANTWAN TALKED ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT PICTURES.

ONE IN 2006 AND ONE MORE RECENTLY.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S TO YOUR CREDIT, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT THE DOC?

>> I BEEN WITH THE DEPARTMENT LITTLE OVER SEVEN YEARS.

>> HAS THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS APPROACH TO THIS CHANGE FROM 2006, NOT ISOLATE SO MUCH ON ANTWAN'S CASE IN THE LAST 10 OR 20 YEARS, TALK ABOUT WHAT CHANGED IN THAT PERIOD?

>> I WILL GIVE MY PERSPECTIVE.

HE'S GOING TO GIVE A PERSPECTIVE.

COMING FROM ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE, WE HAD A CHANGE DIRECTOR FEW YEARS BACK.

THEY BEGAN TO IDENTIFY CULTURE.

WE WORKED ON OUR CULTURE INSIDE WITH OUR STAFF.

WE REALLY HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AS A TEAM AND DOC UNIT AS A WHOLE, WE MADE SURE WE WERE TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER.

WE BECAME THE CULTURE AND INVESTED AND CARED ABOUT OUR TEAM AND STAFF.

THAT PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN HELPING US GET TO THIS POINT.

WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT TRANSFORMATIONAL APPROACH TO THE CULTURE.

FOR SO LONG, PEOPLE HAD THIS IDEATION, WE WILL PUT PEOPLE IN PRISON.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HELP THEM.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THEM IN THERE.

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT POPULATION.

WE DEFINITELY CHANGE OUR APPROACH OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MORE TARGETED, THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

WE INVESTED IN THE STAFF AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES.

>> ANTWAN, YOUR VIEW?

>> I THINK THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EARLY 2000s AND NOW IS PROGRAMS THAT'S OFFERED THAT HELP YOU TRANSITION FROM PRISON.

WHAT PRISON OFFERS SO THEY ALL HAVE ALWAYS HAD EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INSIDE THE INSTITUTIONS.

FOR THE LONGEST TIME, IT WAS JUST SOMETHING TO DO TO PASTIME.

>> IT'S THE SAME BUILDING DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS USED FOR YEARS.

YOU SEE THE FELLAS WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN.

WHEN I VISITED, IT STILL SEEM VERY MUCH LIKE A DOC FACILITY.

HAS THAT CHANGED?

>> IT'S STILL OPERATED LIKE A DOC FACILITY.

IT'S A DIFFERENT SIDE TO IT.

WHERE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND THE TRANSITIONAL PROGRAMS TAKE PLACE.

FATHER SUPPORT HAS AN AREA IN THE FACILITY.

WHEN YOU GET UP AFTER BREAKFAST, YOU GO TO CLASS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS.

ONCE YOU GET THE JOB, YOU'RE ABLE TO GO TO WORK.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF HAVING A FELONY ON YOUR RECORD WHEN YOU LOOK FOR WORK?

ALEX, I HEARD FELLAS TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE TO DO ENTREPRENEURIAL THINGS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF PRISON.

PEOPLE JUST WON'T HIRE PEOPLE WHO BEEN INSIDE.

COULD YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> I WILL ANSWER TO SOME LEVEL OF THAT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EMPLOYERS, THE CURRENT ECONOMY HAS BEEN A BLESSING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE FELONY CONVICTIONS.

THE NEED MORE WORKERS AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NEEDED TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY WHERE IT'S AT AND OUR WORKFORCE MOVING FORWARD HAS CHANGED.

THERE'S ALSO INDIVIDUALS WHO GONE OUT AND REALLY HELPED THAT POPULATION.

WHEN YOU GET A JOB, IF YOU'RE RETURNING TO MISSOURI AND BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU'RE GETTING A JOB, YOU'RE OPENING THE DOOR FOR THE NEXT GUY.

YOU'RE OPENING THE DOOR FOR THE NEXT LADY THAT WILL COME THROUGH THAT SAME EMPLOYER.

UNDERSTAND, THAT HAS A -- THE EMPLOYER HAS A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH SOMEBODY WITH A FELONY CONVICTION, SOMETIMES THAT RUINS IT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE REALLY TRY AND WE INVEST INTO OUR POPULATION TO MAKE SURE THAT, WE'RE PREPARING THEM THAT THEY GET THOSE SOFT SKILLS, THEY KNOW HOW TO HANDLE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS EMPLOYERS ARE STARTING TO COME TO US.

THEY ARE NEEDING EMPLOYEES.

THEY ARE DYING FOR THAT.

WE ARE DOING GREAT JOB EDUCATING EMPLOYERS TO COME SEE INSIDE OUR FACILITIES.

WE HAVE THE CDL PROGRAM.

WE HAVE LOT OF OTHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS.

WE ALSO HAVE VOCATIONAL MISSOURI ENTERPRISE THAT TEACHES THEM AND MAKING OUR LICENSE PLATE.

EVERY PERSON IN STATE OF MISSOURI HAS A LICENSE PLATE CAME FROM ONE OF OUR FACILITIES.

THESE GUYS ARE PRODUCTIVE.

THEY HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO DO GREAT WORK.

THEY DO COMPENSATIONAL WORK.

>> CDL IS COMMERCIAL DRIVER?

>> YES.

MY FAULT.

>> ANTWAN, HOW ABOUT DID YOU HAVE ANY DIFFICULTY GETTING THAT FIRST JOB?

WAS THERE ANY RESISTANCE TO HIRING A MAN OUT OF PRISON?

>> NO.

I DON'T THINK IT'S DIFFICULT FINDING A JOB, IT'S DIFFICULT FINDING MEANINGFUL INCOME.

IF THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH ISN'T THERE, IT'S EASY TO TAKE A JOB FRESH OUT OF PRISON MAKING 12 OR $13 AN HOUR.

WHO YOU WILL FEED WITH THAT?

YOU CAN'T FEED A FAMILY WITH THAT.

IF YOU HAVE FAMILY AND RESPONSIBILITIES THE PRESSURE IS ON YOU.

SOME GUYS DON'T WANT TO SETTLE FOR THAT.

SOME GUYS WON'T EVEN GO IN UNLESS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 15 OR $16.

SOME CASES IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

YOU STILL HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES YOU GOT TO THINK COMING HOME FROM PRISON, YOU STILL CENTER THE CHILD SUPPORT THAT'S WAITING ON YOU FOR THE KIDS THAT YOU LEFT.

THAT'S COMING OUT YOUR CHECK BEFORE ANYTHING.

THE EMPLOYERS THAT'S WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA SMILE AND MAY MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE, THAT'S WHERE EVERYBODY RUNNING TO.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION, YOU HAVE A FAMILY.

YOU HAVE A SON.

YOU HAVE CUSTODY OF YOUR SON?

>> ABSOLUTELY, 16 YEARS OLD.

HE LIVES WITH ME.

DOING GREAT.

PARTICIPATE IN EVERYTHING.

IT'S NOT HARD.

>> THAT'S A BIG SUCCESS STORY TO COME OUT AND GET YOUR SON.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M SURE WE HAVE BUSINESS OWNERS WATCHING TONIGHT AND SUBSTANTIAL PBS AUDIENCE.

HOW IF I HAVE A BUSINESS AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS, REALLY AMAZING INITIATIVE, HOW DO I GO ABOUT DOING THAT?

>> YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ME.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THEM.

I HAVE ANOTHER GUY THAT WORKS IN MY OFFICE WHO DOES LOT OF WORK WITH OUR EMPLOYERS.

WE CAN GET YOU LINKED IN TO A FACILITY TO GO SEE SOME OF THE WORK.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, WE DO LOT OF JOB FAIRS.

WE DO MOCK INTERVIEWS.

WE DO THINGS WHERE BUSINESSES CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THIS POPULATION.

THEY CAN COME OUT WITH A JOB IF THEY HAVE EMPLOYER WHO ARE WILLING TO COME AND SEEK THAT.

IF THEY WANT TO SEE A TOUR, THEY WANT TO SEE OUR FACILITIES, BY ALL MEANS REACH OUT TO ME.

REACH ME BY E-MAIL ALEX ALEX.EARLS@DOC.MO.GOV I LOVE TO HOOK YOU UP.

>> DID YOU GET A JOB AS A DRIVER RIGHT OUT OF PRISON?

ARE YOU DRIVING NOW OR ARE ARE YOU A MANAGER?

>> RIGHT OUT OF PRISON, I STARTED AS A SHORT HAND COOK.

I WORKED THAT JOB.

I APPLIED FOR THE LAUNDRY COMPANY.

I GOT THAT JOB.

AT THAT TIME, I WAS WORKING TWO JOBS.

>> NEITHER OF THEM DRIVING TRUCKS?

>> NO.

A DRIVER POSITION BECAME OPEN.

LIKE TWO MONTHS AFTER I WAS WITH THE COMPANY.

I APPLIED FOR IT.

I WAS ACCEPTED.

I CLIMBED FROM THERE.

I THINK WHEN I FIRST STARTED DRIVING I WAS ONLY ABOUT $14 AN HOUR.

THAT FIRST YEAR, I WON EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR BECAUSE HOW MUCH I GREW MY ROUTE JUST OUT THE GATE.

TO GO BACK A LITTLE BIT, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I DIDN'T MENTION THIS, PRIOR TO ME COMING HOME, I WORKED IN THE LAUNDRY FACILITY.

THE LAUNDRY FACILITY INFORMATIVE WAS A SAFEWAY TO THE LAUNDRY THAT I'M DOING TODAY.

I WORKED IN THE LAUNDRY IN PRISON FOR I THINK THE LAST 13 OR 14 MONTHS PRIOR TO ME COMING HOME.

>> YOU MADE LITTLE BIT MONEY IN PRISON DOING THAT?

>> YES.

IT WAS PENNYERS -- >> WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW?

>> AS IT STANDS NOW, I'M SERVICE GUY FOR THE COMPANY THAT I WORK FOR.

I DELIVER TO SOME OF THE MAJOR BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE REGION HERE IN ST. LOUIS.

>> GOOD FOR YOU.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PERSONAL SIDE OF THIS.

YOUR STORY IS INSPIRING.

KIND OF INTERESTED HOW TWO DIFFERENT SETS OF PEOPLE RESPOND TO YOU.

LET'S SAY THE SECOND TIME.

THAT IS YOUR FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CLOSE TO YOU.

THEN THE FOLKS THAT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH.

DO YOU HEAR FROM THEM?

ARE THEY OUT OF YOUR LIFE COMPLETELY?

>> THE BAD GUYS WHO ARE IN INSTINCT, I DON'T DEAL WITH IN ANYMORE.

I HAVE FRIENDS THAT I HAVE BEEN ACQUAINTED WITH FOR 30 YEARS.

IT'S THREE OF THEM, FOUR INCLUDING MY LITTLE BROTHER.

OUT OF THE THREE, OUT OF THE FOUR, THREE OF TEN AR -- -- THREE OF THEM ARE BUSINESS OWNERS.

FOURTH IS INVESTED IN REAL ESTATE RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS.

THE PEOPLE THAT I SURROUND MYSELF WITH, SINCE I'VE BEEN HOME THIS TIME HAS BEEN AWESOME IN MY LIFE.

THAT'S INCLUDING MY FAMILY, MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS MY GRANDSON, MY SON, MY MOTHER.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S LACKING INTO GUYS THAT COME HOME FROM PRISON.

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID.

HE'S JUST GOING TO GO BACK.

WE'RE NOT GIVING GUYS CHANCES.

NOT ONLY DO SOCIETY HAVE TO BE ACCEPTING OF IT, IT STARTS AT HOME.

IF WE CAN GET THE FAMILIES, NEED HELP.

HE ON HIS WAY HOME.

HE NEED SOME HELP.

I NEEDED HELP.

I JUST SO HAPPEN TO HAVE PEOPLE THERE TO HELP.

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU WANT TO PUT ANTWANE MIGHT ON A POSTER.

WHERE IS THE DEPARTMENT HOW IT HANDLES PEOPLE.

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE JUST GO SOUTH AND THEY COMING BACK.

HOW ABLE TO MONITOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET BACK BUT THEY ARE STRUGGLING?

DOES THAT FIT IN THE EQUATION WHAT YOU DO AS A REENTRY MANAGER?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THEIR WALK THROUGH LIFE.

IF THEY'RE BACK IN THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A GREAT PROBATION PATROL STAFF THAT MONITORS THAT AND MAKE SURE WE GET THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

IF THEY'RE INSIDE OUR FACILITIES WE MAKE SURE WE'RE TARGETED IN THAT.

FOR SO OFTEN, YOU THROW A BLANKET OVER EVERYBODY.

EVERYBODY FITS IN THE SAME BOX.

THAT'S NOT INDIVIDUALITY.

THAT DOESN'T HELP AN INDIVIDUAL.

THAT DOESN'T HELP THEM FIND WHAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

WE'RE TAKING MORE TARGETED APPROACH.

MAKING SURE WE ASSESS THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE.

MAKE SURE WE'RE ADDRESSING THEIR NEEDS IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.

WE BEGIN TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE SEE IT.

THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT HAPPEN WITHIN THE FACILITIES AND COMMUNITIES THAT COULD HAVE ADVERSE OR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

WE TRY OUR BEST TO TAKE SITUATION FOR WHAT IT IS AND WORK WITH THE INDIVIDUAL TO STEER THEM BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WHAT ARE THE RECIDIVISM RATES ARE?

>> IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU CALCULATE THOSE.

LOT OF PEOPLE GET HUNG UP ON RECIDIVISM RATES.

I WOULD SAY MISSOURI NOW, WE'RE LITTLE BIT BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE.

I DON'T WANT TO QUOTE EXACTLY WHERE WE'RE AT.

WE'RE IN THE 30% TO 40% OF RECIDIVISM.

WE HAVE PUBLICATIONS ON OUR DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION WEBSITE.

>> DO 30 OR 40% OF PEOPLE COME BACK IN?

>> YES.

WE'RE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THAT IMPACT.

LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE KIND OF CHANGES WE'RE DOING WITH OUR COMMUNITY SUPERVISION.

WE'RE NOT REVOKING PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY FOR HAVING HICCUPS.

>> ANTWAN, WE'RE IN THE LAST MINUTE OR SO WE HAVE, WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT PROBABLY, MAY BE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE LOCK THEM UP THROW AWAY THE KEY MENTALITY.

YOU OBVIOUSLY ARE PRETTY INSPIRATIONAL EXAMPLE WHY THAT IS A GREAT STRATEGY.

WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO FOLKS THAT ARE WATCHING?

>> MY MESSAGE WOULD BE, FORGIVENESS IS KEY.

EVERYBODY HAS A PAST.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN THROUGH SOMETHING AND EVERYBODY DONE SOMETHING.

THE DIFFERENCE IS, THE ONES THAT COMING HOME THEY GOT CAUGHT.

THEY GOT PUNISHED FOR IT.

THEY DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE.

HERE IN SOCIETY, WE THROW AWAY ONES THAT WE DON'T WANT BACK, WE GIVE THEM LIFE.

THEY CAN'T COME HOME ANYMORE.

THE ONES THAT GETS THAT OPPORTUNITY, THEY DID THEIR TIME.

THEY DESERVE A SHOT AT THE AMERICAN DREAM LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> I AGREE.

TREAT PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE.

WE'RE ALL MADE MISTAKES.

WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO TREAT PEOPLE AS PEOPLE.

GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES.

DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEIR BACKGROUND IS.

DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THEY IDENTIFY AS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

WE GOT TO TREAT HUMANS AS HUMANS.

TRULY GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND THEIR OWN SUCCESS.

>> OKAY, INSPIRATION TALKING TO YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

>> YOU WANT TO SAY HI TO ANYBODY?

YOU WANT TO SAY HI TO YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER?

>> YES, SIR.

>> ONCE AGAIN, ALEX EARLS AND ANTWAN WHITE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME AND AS BILL SUGGESTED YOUR INSPIRATION.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

I HOPE PEOPLE TOOK ALL IN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S IT FOR US.

WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT THURSDAY NIGHT.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT CHANNEL 9.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "DONNYBROOK" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SUPPORT OF THE BETSY AND TOMMY PATTERSON FOUNDATION AND THE MEMBERS OF NINE PBS.