Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get out of prison and have to start your life all over again?

The Greater Barre Community Justice Center, in collaboration with the Barre Partnership, is planning an exciting free interactive event on Thursday, October 16th from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. that will simulate the experience of formerly incarcerated men and women returning to the community.

“Returning to the Community” provides a timely opportunity to engage the greater Barre community in understanding some of the many challenges faced by returning prisoners as they try to get basic needs met while navigating the criminal justice system. In this licensed and field-tested training program delivered by the Brattleboro Community Justice Center, members of the public will be able to “walk in the shoes” of a returning prisoner.

When you arrive at 4:30, you will be given an offender role to play, and will receive instructions about how the simulation will work. As you navigate through meetings with service providers (also role players) within a specified amount of time, you learn what a returning offender might experience.

After the simulation, there will be discussion about the experience, and then participants will hear from actual offenders who have returned to the community and have support of their circle of support and accountability teams. The real learning happens when all of you – as human beings – begin to experience real feelings associated with the roles you have assumed.

This event requires registration. Call the Justice Center at 476-0276 to register, or fill out the form online at www.gbcjc.org.