Initially a support group made up of ex-offenders, this group has expanded
to include others who have a passion for justice and a willingness to partner
with ex-offenders to impact the community. Mentored by Founder Fr. Sy
Peterka, C.M., and Co-Founder/ President of F.A.C.E. Marlo A. Hargrove Sr,
F.A.C.E. is made up of ex-offenders, family members of ex-offenders,
business people, and concerned individuals all strongly committed to faith
in Jesus Christ. Mentor Sherman Yarborough and Addiction Counselor/Mentor
Archie Lee, Sr., and many in the group have previously struggled with
substance abuse.

F.A.C.E:  Why We Are

A recent Urban Institute Study on re-entry for ex-offenders in Maryland shows alarming statistics.  “In 2001, the majority of Maryland prisoners (59 percent) returned to the City of Baltimore.  Not only does Baltimore City have the most returns in absolute numbers (4,411 men and women in 2001), but it also represents the highest per capita returns in the state…" Additionally, the majority of prisoners released were male (90%) and black (89 percent).  The median age of reentering prisoners was 33 while the majority was between 20 and 40 years of age. The returning prisoners often locate within six communities in Baltimore where each of these communities may welcome more ex-offenders than the total numbers absorbed by entire counties within the State of Maryland. 

The needs of returning men and women are not able to be met within the communities in which they can afford to live.  Difficulty finding employment, housing, medical and mental health treatment can create a revolving door to the prison system which not only hurts the individuals but their families and their communities. In producing this study, the Urban Institute was dismayed to discover that by the time the statistics for the released prison population in 2006 were completed in the spring of 2007, twenty percent of those released had re-offended and were back in prison.

Part of the problem of reentry is the insufficient availability of substance abuse treatment. It is estimated that in Baltimore, 58,316 residents are in need of substance abuse/alcohol treatment. Approximately 9% of the City’s population. Baltimore has the highest rate per capita of opiate use and it has been learned that not only is heroin the drug of choice, but 70% of males and 86% of females who tested positive for opiates also tested positive for cocaine. Minus efficient and substantive ex-offender outreach, the prison becomes a revolving door for ex-offenders and prevents their becoming active participants in their families and communities.