‘It’s Criminal’ is inspiring

Neil Allen
Charlestown
To the editor,

When I was gearing up to finish the last classes I needed for my criminal justice degree this past spring, I watched the documentary, It’s Criminal. It had been shown at the high school through the combined efforts of System of Care-FAST Forward, Turning Points Network, TLC Family Resource Center, and Quaker City Unity Friends Meeting. The upcoming screening on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 6 p.m., at River Valley Community College is being presented by the same group along with the NH Bar Foundation.

The film provided me with the motivation I needed to finish my classes. It was incredibly moving and shared a look at the lives of these incarcerated women that you simply don’t get in the classroom. I have been fortunate enough to speak to some of the inmates when I was a reporter and learn more about the Transition Reentry and Inmate Life Skills (TRAILS) from those who implement the program every day.

As a student, we looked hard at the justice system, where it is failing, and what can be done to change that. It is clear that the old model just doesn’t work anymore. The film shines a light on this innovative program that is changing the lives of citizens in our community and around the country as more and more communities look to change the way they work within the criminal justice system.

At the screening, you will hear from some of the former inmates about the program and the success they have had since their incarceration. For me, that was the most impactful part of the whole screening. The TRAILS program is much a part of why I wanted to study criminal justice and hearing the success stories validates my interest in making a difference in the community and for those in the criminal justice system.

I hope you will join me in watching this important documentary and learn more about what is being done in our community to change lives.

Neil Allen

Charlestown