Ex-cons Dumped in Downtown Dallas Gain Tools to Stay Free, Thanks to Nonprofit

As many as 700 people are released from state prisons each month and bused into downtown Dallas, often with little money and no housing or job prospects. Without help reintegrating into free society, they could commit crimes again, but that's something Dallas-based nonprofit Unlocking Doors hopes to prevent. "They simply go and commit another crime just because they can't handle the rules out here," said Christina Melton Crain, president and chief executive officer of Unlocking Doors. The group — which pairs ex-offenders with housing, job, mental health and rehabilitation services —just moved into a new headquarters on Greenville Avenue near Interstate 635, growing from 1,500 square feet to 7,000 square feet. Among those attending a grand opening ceremony Friday to support the nonprofit's work were state representatives, Dallas City Council members, Dallas County commissioners, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson and U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, (R-Dallas).  Continue reading...