Help For Those Transitioning To Life After Prison

News On 6

TULSA, OK -- 8,000 people get out of prison and head back into Oklahoma communities every year. But without help, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections reports many of those people will end up back behind bars.

That's why it participated Saturday in a forum at the Morning Star Baptist Church in North Tulsa.

Community leaders and organizations gathered to talk about helping people re-enter society.

Officials with the Department of Corrections say the smoother their transition, the less likely they get into trouble again.

"As you know, we're number one in the nation in incarcerating females and number four for males. And we don't want that type of ranking. We want to stem the tide," said Reginald Hines, Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

The Department of Corrections reports fewer people heading back to prison, means our tax dollars can be spent on other programs.