Helen Ubinas: To see ex-cons' dilemma, come feel the 'Pull of Gravity'

GLAD LOTS of you agree that we need to have a conversation about ex-cons.

Last month I wrote about "Pull of Gravity," a documentary about three men in different stages of reentry.

The film, created by Jon Kaufman and El Sawyer - a former inmate-turned-filmmaker featured in the film - was shot in North Philly over the course of a year. It was funded by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.

I told you that it's a compelling film about the sometimes-insurmountable obstacles people leaving prison face - including lack of jobs, education, housing and support.

I also said that the film offers an important opportunity for an ongoing, citywide conversation we need to have:

About how we deal - or don't - with ex-offenders.

About how entwined the issues of incarceration and reintegration are with race, class, poverty and crime.

About how important the individual success of these men is to the city.

There's a lot to talk about, and the Daily News wants to be part of the conversation.

On Tuesday, we're hosting a screening of the film. Seating is free, but limited. Register now at http://pullofgravity.eventbrite/# to reserve your seat.

Since I first wrote about the film, your calls and emails have flooded in.

You wanted to see the hour-long documentary. (For other showings, go to pullofgravity film.com). You wanted to talk about the challenges of reentry and reintegration.

You wanted to share stories and find help for yourselves and family members who were facing Philadelphia's crisis of intergenerational incarceration.

"I have witnessed grandfathers, fathers, and sons, and sometimes even uncles and cousins, being housed in the same prison, and even on the same cell block," a Graterford inmate who helps run an outreach program from the prison wrote.

The conversations we had started differently: "I've been out for 10 months . . . ."

"Out for 10 years . . . "

"I was in longer than I've been out," said a guy who made me promise to save him a seat at the next screening.

But they all ended similarly. "It's hard out here . . . ."

I also heard from men who were still in jail and already stressing about what waited, or didn't, on the outside.

"In the very, very near future, I will be released," another Graterford inmate wrote. "I need employment and education. I don't want to end up here again."

Of course there are plenty of you out there that don't want to hear any of this. Cry you a river, right? I get it - people should be held accountable for their actions. No argument here.

Except, their success or failure doesn't happen in a bubble. An estimated 13 percent of the city's residents have a criminal record, according to the city. If you don't see how thousands walking out of prison each year and back into our neighborhoods in the same, or worse, circumstances spells trouble, you're living in la-la land.

"People need to understand how all of it - people coming out of prison, safety, economics - is all related, how it's all connected," said filmmaker Sawyer. He served eight years for aggravated assault and has been home for 10.

So, join us. The film will be followed by a panel discussion that is scheduled to include the filmmakers, U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger and several ex-offenders, including Colwin Williams, whom I've been writing about since his release in March.

A few tips: The film has some strong language, so it's not appropriate for children. Enter the Daily News building on the 8th Street entrance, across the street from Ross, and you'll be escorted to the screening.

Come out to watch the movie, and to talk about something that affects us all.

I look forward to seeing you.

Phone: 215-854-5943

On Twitter: @NotesFromHel