In recognition of Second Chance Month and National Reentry Week, Create House, Bethlehem, invited former Create House reentrant Ronald Connolly to speak to the current reentrants at the facility on May 2.
Connolly resided at the facility from July 2022 to July 2023 after his life sentence was commuted by the Governor of Pennsylvania. Connolly was released from SCI Phoenix on July 18, 2022, just two years shy of his 80th birthday and after spending 51 years in confinement. He was released to a home plan with his family in July 2023.
Who better to connect with reentrants than someone who best understands their struggles? Connolly is still in the reentry phase himself.
“Learning to adjust to society is an ongoing task,” Connolly said. He spoke about his crime and what landed him behind bars and also what coping skills he learned. He also told the reentrants, “You have to want better and do better. There are people here to help you if you want the help."
Connolly also expressed how he feels better than ever and how he cleans out cars to make a living.
“Back in the day I did illegal things to get money, a lot more money than I am making now cleaning out cars, but I sleep in peace and am much happier and prouder and don’t have to worry about police knocking at my door,” he said. “If I would have asked my 19-year-old self, do you want to clean out cars for a living? I would have laughed and said no, but the peace it brings today is priceless."
Connolly also spoke about keeping positive people and family around you. Connolly connected with many reentrants and tears and hugs were seen throughout the room. Many reentrants had questions and also stayed back to speak privately to Connolly.