“Released With Conviction” Opens at BPL

February 24, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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Exhibit Follows Nine Former Inmates Post Incarceration

The new photo and audio exhibit at Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Grand Army Plaza branch follows nine former inmates after their release from incarceration. The multi-media exhibition called “Released With Conviction,” was created by The Center of Employment Opportunities (CEO). The images and accompanying interviews share the former inmate’s thoughts about reentry into their communities, their families and the workplace. Opened yesterday, the exhibition will run through April 28.

“The exhibition stood out to us because it described people building their lives back together,” said BPL Manager of Exhibitions Barbara Wing. “The library continues to be a valuable resource that not only helps people get back on their feet, but provides tools to encourage all patrons to succeed in their career endeavors.”

Brooklyn-based photographers Jeyhoun Allebaugh, Michael Scott Berman and Bryan Tarnowski took the stirring images. Supplementary audio details the process of moving forward after incarceration.

A similar exhibition will also be at the Flatbush Library from Feb. 29 to April 28. In addition to the exhibition, BPL and CEO will host the following events and workshops:

Exhibition Launch and Panel Discussion

Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Dweck Auditorium at Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza

Councilmember Stephen Levin will join a panel of experts to discuss resources available to people who are currently incarcerated or who have recent criminal convictions. Panel participants include:

Mindy S. Tarlow, chief executive officer and executive director of CEO, will discuss services such as life-skills education, employment essentials and jobs placement. A graduate of the CEO program will discuss his experiences reentering the workplace after his release.

Nick Higgins, supervising librarian for correctional services at New York Public Library, will describe how the public library system brings mobile libraries to prisons.

Meredith Walters, acting-director, Programs and Exhibitions Department at BPL, will moderate the discussion.

“Second Chances” Workshops at the BPL Business Library

Wednesday, March 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Jobseekers Forum at the Business Library Auditorium, 280 Cadman Plaza W. at Tillary St.

This workshop is for formerly incarcerated people who are seeking jobs. The workshop will help prepare these jobseekers to effectively sell themselves on their resumes and at interviews. It will also help participants prepare for the job search process by informing them of the documents and information that they will need to share with a potential employer.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 6-7:30 pm

Small Business Forum at the Business Library Auditorium, 280 Cadman Plaza W. at Tillary St.

The second workshop is focused on small business owners who are interested in learning more about hiring a person with a criminal background. The workshop will help inform employers of the benefits available to them if they hire someone with a criminal history and will also address questions and concerns they might have.