On Saturday, Oct. 19, more than 100 people from as far as Greenwich and Willimantic, formerly incarcerated returning citizens, police officers, the commissioner of the Department of Correction, mayors, college professors, students, parents, business, religious and nonprofit leaders came to participate in the Shiloh Baptist Church Prison Ministry’s ninth Community Prison Awareness and Prevention Gathering.

This year’s theme was “Prevention 101: How Do We Build A Safe and Successful Community?”

The colorful fall morning started with remarks from Mayor Michael E. Passero. I served as facilitator of Shiloh Prison Ministry and founder of “The Gathering.”

Department of Correction Commissioner Rollin Cook, who has been in his new position for only 10 months, also delivered remarks.

New to The Gathering this year were skits led by Lorraine Thomas and the Prison Ministry Players, including one titled “Implicit and Explicit Biases,” depicting a police officer interacting negatively with community members and showing all types of biases while performing his job.

A mini-forum followed moderated by Tara Hall of Tara Hall Inspired Solutions and the panelists, Dr. Rashelle Litchmore of Connecticut College, city human services director Jeanne Milstein, and Commissioner Cook. The panelist gave their reactions toward the skit and they discussed how to address and train professionals for a zero tolerance for implicit biases while delivering service to the public.

Later, various workshops were offered for ages six to adult. The adults had an opportunity to attend two of the four offered: Community Policing–Policing the Police, Reforming Educational Systems, Aftercare Services for Women In-Transition, and Survival Toolbox for Returning Citizens.

During the lunch period, community service providers shared about their services and provided information. The service providers included the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp., Connecticut Pardon Team, Work and Learn, Southeastern Mental Health Authority, Connecticut Center For Mind-Body Enrichment, National Council of Negro Women, and Shiloh Prison Ministry.

A second skit, titled “Our Beloved Community,” depicted how it would look with everyone working in unity to achieve common goals. It showed the previous officer in the first skit being helpful and well received by the entire community and everyone respecting each other.

Once again it was followed by a mini-panel discussion, this time led by moderator Kevin Booker, Jr. of Booker Empowerment. Panelists were Daniel Dyer of Work and Learn, Captain Brian Wright of the New London Police Department, and Cadet Xavier Ward-Cardona of Naval Sea Cadet Corp.

The conference ended with certificates of outstanding achievement being handed to Charlene Baskerville, a longtime Department of Correction employee who has served as a mentor and adviser; Booker Jr., a longtime educator; and Officer Anthony Nolan, a 19-year veteran of the New London force who also serves as the 39th District state representative for the city.

Winston Taylor has a master’s degree in social work and is the founder of “The Gathering.” To learn more, call (860) 889-3292 or visit brotherwinston.com.

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