Former inmate turned Case Manager sets out to help at ECI

WESTOVER, Md. – A familiar face showed up to give back to the place where they once did time.

Mark Harris is a case manager for RISTORe Damascus House, which stands for Rehabilitating Individuals So They Overcome Recidivism.
his organization was represented at the ECI Reentry Resource Fair Thursday to provide housing, programming, and workforce development for those individuals soon to be released. After serving time at the Eastern Correctional Institution and not having access to this opportunity, he shares it was only suitable to come back and help those in a place he once was.

“It means that more doors and more opportunities are opening up to guys and it’s able to cut down on the rate of recidivism it’s better to put money into the program to help them rehabilitate than to pay for them to stay incarcerated,” says Mark Harris, a Case Manager for RISTORe Damascus House.

Mark shares that he is excited to have this opportunity because he once was broken. But now he is able to fulfill his purpose through this ministry. His organization allowed inmates to sign up for the resources ahead of release, whether it’s mental health counseling, conflict resolution, or financial literacy. This organization says through their 12-month programming formerly incarcerated individuals will be better off. He shares some advice for those soon to be released: “My advice would be to have a plan, to have a mindset and goals set and just to be grateful for each day and learn that our freedom wouldn’t be taken if freedom wasn’t taken for granted,” he adds.

To check out some of the resources RISTORe Damascus House has to offer, visit their website.