ANN ARBOR—Megan McKinley seeks to change one attitude at a time when she gives lectures about former Michigan prisoners needing a second chance, with either obtaining a job or securing an apartment.

The University of Michigan graduate isn’t deterred by skepticism or disinterest among those in the audience. McKinley and other U-M students and graduates believe in the mission of the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative for Washtenaw County where they work to help recidivism through advocacy, policy and programming.

The Ann Arbor program seeks to reduce crime by offering services and supervision to each offender from their entry to prison through their reintegration.

“I go out into the community to help people understand why it is so difficult for these citizens to find success,” McKinley said. “It’s the community’s responsibility to reintegrate them back into society.”

MPRI community coordinator Mary King said the program has eight to 12 students per semester, and some interns return in volunteer capacities. “They are very active in many roles in MPRI,” King said.

Students come from many disciplines, but MPRI often gets participants affiliated with U-M’s School of Social Work, including McKinley, said Edie Kieffer, associate professor of social work.

Melissa Stellini, a junior psychology major, helps former prisoners complete job applications and resumes.

“It seems as if a lot of these people don’t have the support or options, but that shouldn’t be the reason why they return to prison,” Stellini said. “That’s why I wanted to help them so that they can have a better life.”

A better life is what Roderick McCreary, an MPRI participant who has been in and out of prison eight times totaling nearly 30 years, strives for. “MPRI ? gives you a running start at a goal,” said McCreary, who worked with Stellini on a job application in a computer lab.

Former prisoners receive counseling, a free meal on their first day out, free bus pass, hygiene kits, transitional employment and housing assistance. The program lasts six months with a graduation ceremony.

MPRI operates 18 sites statewide and works with social service agencies, law enforcement, faith-based congregations and community members. It helps about 300 prisoners annually, King said. Participation in the program is often parole-mandated for these medium- to high-risk parolees, she said.

Michigan, which has the fifth largest corrections system in the nation, releases more than 10,000 inmates annually from its prisons. Nearly half of them return to prison within two years, costing the state $112 million per year.

Prior to MPRI, which began in 2004, the state faced challenges in providing coordinated support for prisoners as they returned home. King said parolees were typically given a bus ticket from prison and an appointment with their parole agent. Housing meant living in a homeless shelter, which King notes became overcrowded. Job-search assistance was minimal, and parolees had a difficult time obtaining a state ID card.

“MRPI is vitally important for us as an agency,” said John Cordell, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Corrections. “It creates better citizens and safer neighborhoods.”

The transition to the community, or re-entry phase, begins about 60 days before the prisoner’s release date. Re-entry plans address housing, employment, and services for addiction and mental illness.

“We would be set up for failure if this program weren’t available,” said Worlee Dennis Jr., a former inmate and MPRI participant. “What I like is that it shows community involvement for us to get a second chance.”

The program also offers former inmates opportunities to become comfortable with the community through activities, such as bowling events, barbecues and softball leagues.

“It makes me happy to know that the participants can go to these activities and feel as if they’re part of the community,” said U-M senior Kelsey Ott, who serves as the MPRI social activities coordinator.