Felix Mata, the "go-to" man in Maryland (and the nation) on the issue of reentry, is shifting locales and taking a position with U.S. Probations. He held three critical positions in Maryland, simultaneously, and became a respected resource on the reentry issue. Felix was Baltimore City's Director of Reentry and Juvenile Justice for the Mayor's Office; Project Director for the Reentry Center (ReC) the "one-stop" shop for reentry in

Baltimore City; and the ED of the Governor's Advisory Council on Offender Employment Coordination. We here at the NCPC e-mail discussion group asked if he would share some "exit interview" thoughts with us as he enters into his new challenge.

1) What are you most proud of in your accomplishments in your current positions?

Maryland has always been a leader in a variety of areas, but I can proudly say that both Baltimore and Maryland has done much to lead the nation in prisoner reentry, a) creating the nation's first local government operated prisoner Re-entry Center (ReC), http://www.oedworks.com/exoffender/rec_info_flyer.pdf, serving over 100 ex-prisoners daily in a variety of services, 2) pushing for more proactive policy, i.e. voting rights for ex-offenders, change in expungement laws, and increase funding and training for inmate and reentry programs, and creating new partnerships, i.e. Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Breakfast - celebrating Maryland's businesses who hire the formerly incarcerated. This event was hosted by Mayor Sheila Dixon and attended by over 300 businesses, elected officials and others. Lastly, the amount of funding we have brought to Maryland regarding prisoner reentry issues. Recently, we received $4.8 million to provide gang prevention programming to Baltimore City and will utilize our ex-prison population to assist us in this area.

2) After your years in the position what do you find encouraging about the reentry issue in Baltimore, Maryland, and the country?

The way prisoner reentry has grown! This year Maryland has sponsored the International Association of Reentry (IAR) conference and the National Youth and Adult Female Offender Conference. We have been showcased on 60 Minutes and National Public Radio (NPR) as well as invited to White House Summits on Prisoner Reentry. Lastly, our partnership continues to grow with more city and state agencies coming on board as well as additional community & faith-based organizations working with us.

3) What do you find discouraging?

As always there is never enough funding, services, employment, housing and other to assist our returning prison population. Additionally, the continuous fight we have to do to convince others (not from a large urban populations) that the policies created can actually harm residents in their return to our communities.

4) How many years were you in your present position(s)?

 Four great years!  I think this is another part of our success as I was able to utilize both state and city resources for many of the reentry services needed.

5) What will you role be in your new position?

I will be a Program Administrator (Prisoner Reentry) for U.S. Probation to work on prisoner reentry programming and policy across the nation and its territories. I will begin working on August 20th, but already have meetings and activities set up for Washington, DC, Los Angeles and Raleigh. I will be based in St. Louis, MO, and will provide assistance locally, but will report to the Administrative Office in Washington, DC.

It is my hope to continue to support prisoner reentry so that everyone may receive a second chance in their communities!