LIFE AFTER PRISON: A HARSH REALITY

To the Editor:

"Out of Jail, Into Temptation: A Day in a Life" (front page, Feb. 28) puts
a face on the reality that the return of released prisoners to their old
environment, with all the temptations and few options, endangers the
prisoners and their communities.

Perhaps the cruelest aspect of New York City's policy is the late-night
drop-off at Queens Plaza. One note of hope: plans are under way to provide
a drop-in center at Queens Plaza with immediate links to counseling and
services.

We hope that Nando, the young man featured in the article, knows that there
are places where he can get real help in building a new life that will not
get him locked up or killed — the two likely outcomes of returning to
selling drugs. Since 1967 we have provided counseling, employment services
and peer support so that people like Nando can, in his own words, "leave
all the drugs and negative things alone."

JOANNE PAGE

Executive Director

The Fortune Society

New York, March 1, 2002