Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a bipartisan group of 36 attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass the Workforce Reentry Act. The proposed legislation, known as H.R. 1633, is designed to provide individuals released from prison with resources and skills needed for successful reintegration into society.
Raoul stated, “Too often, individuals leaving incarceration lack the proper resources to successfully transition back into society. Reentry services also benefit communities and our society as a whole, reducing recidivism rates and the costs of incarceration. I am calling on Congress to prioritize these vital services and pass the Workforce Reentry Act.”
The Workforce Reentry Act would establish permanent grant funding opportunities for reentry programs and attach new requirements to ensure efficient use of those funds. Currently, funding for such programs is inconsistent or unavailable. By making these grants permanent, the act aims to stabilize resources that support reentry efforts.
Federal statistics indicate that about 68% of people released from prison are rearrested within three years, with that rate rising to 83% over nine years. High recidivism rates lead not only to public safety concerns but also significant taxpayer expenses due to arrest, prosecution, and incarceration.
Research suggests that lack of employment opportunities and skills is a key factor driving recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals. Communities implementing reentry programs have reported notable reductions in both recidivism rates and prison populations.
The letter urging passage of H.R. 1633 was signed by attorneys general representing American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, the Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, the U.S. Virgin Islands,Vermont,Washingon West Virginia,and Wyoming.