It’s difficult for formerly incarcerated people to find work and educational opportunities, and the stigma of being an ex-convict doesn’t help.
One civil rights attorney who has met numerous individuals who have been released from prison has seen firsthand the fundamental issues the formerly incarcerated face such as housing, employment, transportation and putting food on the table.
The vast majority of incarcerated persons already come from poverty. Returning to the same community is often the main precursor to crime. Aiding people who were recently released from prison can help.
Having a criminal record can prevent people from exercising certain civil and constitutional rights, like voting, serving in the military, of finding adequate housing. Often a person will relapse into criminal behavior.
Prison reentry programs can help decrease that likelihood. But in this country, the programs are severely under-funded. Reintegration programs can do everything from screens candidates to address potential issues and strengths and assign caseworkers to help manage job training, education and opportunities to visit their children and rebuild family relationships. This is crucial when reintroducing people to society.
Business leaders can support these programs. They can also be open to hiring qualified candidates who are eager to work but are being held back by a prior criminal conviction.
Businesses can also fund these programs and publicly support these programs, bringing awareness to the issue.
