Second Chance Walk To Open Doors For Returning Citizens

Second Chance Community Walk Supports The Re-Entry of County Residents

By Kia Lisby // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICIA ADAMS

Prince George’s County Council Re-Entry Advisory and Maryland Black Mayors, Inc., partnered with Prince George’s County Council Chair and At-Large Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II to host the Inaugural Second Chance Community Walk which included county pastors, advocates, and local leaders for an afternoon of prayer and resources April 18 in Bowie.

The community-wide event was created to strengthen support for formerly incarcerated county residents and their families.

“This walk is important to bring notification to what’s going on with returning citizens, how important their transition is, and what our role is as a community in not just embracing them, but empowering them to do the right thing and become responsible citizens if that’s what their heart desire is,” states Council Member Hawkins.

Hawkins says the returning citizens effort is important to the county.

“As we move forward, we want responsible citizens working, taking care of their families and being role models to their kids so that we can turn back the criminal justice recidivism rate.”

Going forward, Council Member Hawkins seeks to prepare both Prince George’s County and the County Council in working to “ensure that we return to a government that meets the needs of the people while helping our businesses develop and expand our tax base.”

Alicia Chandler of Waldorf was among the 147 individuals registered for the Second Chance Community Walk event. She attended to support Hawkins and participate in the food giveaway.

Said Chandler: “Everyone deserves a second chance. I know in life some of the decisions we make will cause us to not feel like we will not be able to be successful, or do things the right way. So this program that Calvin is starting is going to let folks know that there is another opportunity and all hope is not lost.”

Former inmate James Hutchings of Alexandria, Va., is himself a returning citizen, who also attended the walk. Hutchings served four years of a 20-year sentence with 16 years left of probation. He will be eligible to be off in 2025.

Hutchings has a nonprofit organization, Incarcerated Males and Females Inc., aimed at helping returning citizens who are coming home to reenter society and to reduce recidivism.