Mar

25 2019

Pittsfield House of Correction - An Inside Look

10:45AM - 12:00PM  

This Federation event takes place at Knesset Israel 16 Colt Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201

http://knessetisrael.org

Contact Nancy Maurice Rogers
413-442-4360, ext. 1
nrogers@jewishberkshires.org

The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community welcomes Al Bianchi, an 18 year veteran of the Berkshire County Sheriff's office, who will walk us through a typical scenario from the time when an incarcerated man walks through the door to be "booked" in to the Pittsfield House of Correction.

Says Bianchi, "There are many phases to this process.  The House of Correction is run by local people who are vested to work towards the return of those who are incarcerated back into the community."

Bianchi will share how the mechanisms are in place to do that with many re-entry programs, such as treatment and substance abuse programs, parenting groups, anger management programs, meditation, and art classes and educational opportunities for a high school equivalency degree and welding work through collaboration with Berkshire Community College.  "The goal is to reduce recidivism and there are many examples that work at Pittsfield House of Correction," he adds.  Join us for this insider's look.

Al Bianchi is the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office Assistant Deputy Superintendent of Classification/Programs/Education/Reentry/Religious Service/Volunteer Service.  Prior to that, he worked for 8 years with Berkshire Farm Center and 9 years with Services for Youth and with the MA State Parole Board for 8 years. He has been a local football and baseball coach at Pittsfield High School and St. Joseph's High School.  

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.