November 18, 2009

Over the past few weeks, I have been introducing my proposal for TRN (The Tucson Reentry Network) to various people in Tucson I have also shared my record of success in working with ex-offenders (pre-release), encouraging them to re-invent themselves as better human beings and to become positive members of society (post-incarceration). It seems to me that I pose an unnecessary threat to these professionals whose methods of operation prove to simply fuel a revolving door in and out of prison and jail, and themselves are not responsive to change for mere appearance sake. These professionals would rather the status quo remain the same before acknowledging that perhaps an ex offender who happens to be a proven experiential specialist in these matters has a workable solution to meeting part of our mutual problems.

This is a crying shame, and it needs to stop if we ever are to come up with something that works, by implementing holistic recovery from drug and alcohol addition, and if the problem with recidivism in the state of Arizona is to improve.

Before we in Arizona can move beyond where we now are as a team (and what we aim to achieve takes a team effort) we need to begin an open dialogue and find something constructive that we can carry out individually, while working together. United we stand. Divided we will not recover. This is not merely a business for me; it is a way of life. I will close with the adage that talent is universal, while opportunity is not. In order to survive, I need you . A house divided against itself will not stand.

Ivan A. Owens