They heard from former inmates who got out and stayed out.

"I do understand that prison is made to hold those who break the law, who did a crime, and are put away from society to pay for their consequences. and keep society safe. But here's the thing, sooner or later, that felon will be back out into society to live among us," said former inmate Lili Hieda.

It was a decidedly different set of testifiers at this hearing.

Most are former drug addicts who served lengthy prison terms. And they stressed how anyone getting out of prison needs a lot of support, treatment and training. A place to live and a job are crucial.

Because of her criminal record it took Kimberly Cummings a year to find a job.

"I couldn't get a job because I was honest. I even spoke to my sponsor about lying. I need to lie on my applications in order to get a job. but if I did i would be no different from anybody else. you get fired when they find out," said former inmate Cummings.

"If we don't make enough money? What we turn to? Drugs. We turn to dealing drugs again, and we end up right where we left off again--prison. Every time it happens like that. We go in circles. That's our life in circles. We gotta break that circle. We need help, people need help. Inmates, before they get out they need help for break that circle," said former inmate Faria.

All the inmates who spoke Saturday said they couldn't have come this far without the help of non profit groups that provide the support and understanding any human being needs.

The programs of TJ Mahoney, B.E.S.T. and "Women in Need" to name just three.

"Eight years ago I was standing in front of the media, leaving the courthouse in handcuffs; now 8 years have come and I'm sitting in front of the media at the State Capitol. It's a big accomplishment," said former inmate Ululani Faufata.

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