The Interfaith Center of New York is honored to welcome City of New York Department of Correction Commissioner Joseph Ponte as a panelist at the 31st Marshall Meyer Retreat:
Coming Home: Faith Communities Supporting Successful Re-entry
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY
In his more than 40-year corrections career, Joseph Ponte has earned a national reputation as a successful reformer.
A native of Massachusetts, Ponte has served in jails and prisons around the country, including in Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. His broad experience — from frontline correctional officer, to warden, to director and commissioner — gives him a unique perspective and granular understanding of corrections-system management.
Before becoming the Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Correction in April 2014, Ponte served as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections since 2011, where he instituted substantial reforms, making the system a national leader. He has also served as director of the jail in Shelby County, Tennessee, which includes the city of Memphis – helping transform the violence-prone jail while supporting its staff. Under his leadership, the jail gained accreditation by the American Correctional Association – a certification of merit.
Ponte is a Marine Corps veteran (1965-1969) and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bridgewater State College.
About the Rabbi Marshall Meyer Retreat
Held bi-annually since 1998, the conference is a professional development and capacity building opportunity for religious leaders, allowing faith leaders to learn about social issues, create networks for mutual support, and meet civic leaders and service providers. The conference is named after Rabbi Marshall Meyer, who was a religious leader actively engaged in social justice projects and building partnerships with other faith communities.
This year’s conference will address the challenges men and women face upon their release from prison and will offer a space for faith, government and community leaders to learn more about new and innovative programs to support formerly incarcerated individuals on their journey to re-entry and reintegration.
We hope you will join us for this important dialogue.
You can also RSVP by emailing info@inspiregroupllc.com
Special thanks to our partners, Circles of Support and the J.C. Flowers Foundation.
