Sentenced for a Season, Punished for Life

Many of us have grown up being told—and believing—that after a person serves their sentence for a crime, the slate is wiped clean. Every possibility exists for them to find a decent job, a decent apartment, a decent car. From there, they can go on to build a decent life. But the truth does not often bear out this scenario. A felony conviction can restrict travel options, licensing options for employment, housing, and financial aid, just to name a few. What does it mean to our society that 8 percent of our overall US population—and 33 percent of African American men—who have felony convictions run into these barriers after they serve time in prison? Join facilitator Pamela Slaughter in a conversation about how this reality affects our communities and what alternatives might look like.

About Pamela Slaughter: Pamela Slaughter is a native Oregonian with varied interests. She works as an adult protective service investigator for Multnomah County and is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty Portland Central, working as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Pamela also serves as BellaOnline magazine’s Senior Issues editor and hosts a weekly writing group—Shut Up & Write! Pamela loves showing off the beauty of Oregon and gets to do so regularly as a coleader for People of Color Hike! In her spare time, Pamela spends time with family and friends, and bakes delicious cakes.

This program is made possible with support from Oregon Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Oregon Cultural Trust.Co-organized by Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program, COCC’s Diversity and Inclusion Office and COCC Madras Campus.

With support from: Oregon Community Foundation, St. Charles Health System, Cascades Academy, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Associated Students of COCC.