Reentry programs benefit former inmates, communities
Every year, the United States Attorney’s office prosecutes scores of defendants who have violated criminal laws. State and local prosecutors do the same. For the vast majority of convicted defendants, a term in prison is warranted. But prison is usually not meant to last forever. Today, some 2.2 million people are incarcerated. Each year, over 600,000 former inmates return to communities after serving time in state and federal prisons. In Mississippi, over 9,000 former inmates return to our communities each year.
Statistics indicate that 66 percent of state inmates and 40 percent of federal inmates will return to prison within three years. While half of those will be non-violent offenders who violated the terms of their supervision, others will receive a sentence for a new criminal violation. For every new criminal violation, there is a new victim. When an ex-offender returns to prison, it devastates the victim, the offender, his or her families, and the community. It harms public safety. It also depletes the public fiscally. Currently, more than $74 billion is being spent on federal, state and local corrections annually. In Mississippi, we spend $14,000 per incarcerated person each year. This must change.
The Department of Justice designated the week of April 24 as National Reentry Week. The 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and 122 Bureau of Prisons facilities will coordinate reentry events across the country. Reentry is the process of an inmate’s successful, crime-free transition into the community after release from prison. The aim is to break the cycle of incarceration that grips too many communities.
Those leaving prison bear the scarlet letters of their convictions. So branded, they return to their communities, working to put their lives back together and trying to avoid the pitfalls that sent them to prison in the first place. While bearing the stigma of a conviction, they must compete for jobs, look for housing, support their families and seek educational opportunities. A smart law enforcement model prevents crime by supporting ex-offenders. That is why members of the federal criminal justice system began reentry courts in Mississippi. Those leaving federal prison at relatively high risk of reoffending are invited to participate. They are closely supervised, meeting monthly with a federal Judge, federal public defender, treatment provider, probation officer and an attorney from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Participants are supported in obtaining housing, jobs, skills and education, counseling and drug treatment. They also give back to the community through volunteer work and public speaking.
The people most likely to avoid re-incarceration are those who participate in reentry programs. Through successful partnerships with the state and other public and private agencies, reentry programs provide services to get ex-offenders the tools they need to rebuild their lives: job training, transitional housing, GED classes, weekly mentoring, transportation funding, work-appropriate clothing, drug treatment, identification, legal support, health services and assistance with job placement. And, reentry programs do this for a fraction of the cost of incarceration, while doing more to rehabilitate the individual and produce a productive citizen.
These reentry and drug courts have proven successful. But, more is needed. Lawyers, judges, counselors and probation officers can only do so much. There is another critical partner we need: you. If you have a company that can train or hire reentry participants or if you have access to housing or transportation, we need your help. If you can provide physical health care, mental health care, or counseling services, we need your help. If you can mentor ex-offenders, teach them how to be good parents, or otherwise help them succeed, we need your help.
One out of every 100 adults in the United States is behind bars. Ninety five percent will come home. When they do, three of the purposes of prison would have been served — punishment, incapacitation and deterrence. The fourth purpose of prison is rehabilitation. The former inmate’s debt to society has been paid and it is now time for the process of rehabilitation to continue. We can look at ex-offenders returning to our communities as a risk, or we can help them be productive citizens. The potential rewards for their lives, for the economy, and for our safety are incalculable.
To be clear, our reentry efforts are not aimed at assisting individuals who are intent on committing violent crime and instilling fear in our communities. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute criminal behavior to help keep the district safe. However, those returning residents who are committed to rehabilitation should have the tools they need to successfully reenter society. Reentry provides a major opportunity to reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars, and make our communities safer. Please join us as we help ex-offenders rebuild their lives and transform themselves into law-abiding, productive citizens.
Gregory K. Davis is the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
MDOC head: Put inmates back to work