SE Kansas City News

(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) introduced legislation to reduce recidivism by ensuring incarcerated individuals have greater access to support services once they’re ready for reentry into the community. The Reentry Resource Guide Act would authorize a $24,000,000 federal grant program to assist states in developing, expanding, and maintaining a digital community resource guide that details information and contacts of statewide resources and organizations dedicated to assisting recently incarcerated individuals.

“Once an incarcerated individual has paid their debt to society and is ready to reenter their community, it is imperative that they have access to resources and support services that can help them find gainful employment, affordable housing, and other essentials that will provide stability as they transition,” said Congressman Cleaver. “My Reentry Resource Guide Act is a first-of-its-kind effort that enables states to consolidate information on statewide resources and organizations dedicated to reducing recidivism through an online database that is accessible to soon-to-be and recently released individuals. Not only will this lead to greater rates of successful reintegration into communities, but it will also enhance public safety and lower carceral costs for taxpayers.”

Over 600,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons annually. Successful reintegration by these individuals hinges in part on their knowledge of available resources within their respective communities and where to access them. An informational resource that connects returning citizens to health, behavioral, and social service agencies that can assist in meeting their transitional and reentry needs is critically important.

To ensure incarcerated individuals are better prepared for successful reintegration, the Reentry Resource Guide Act will authorize a competitive federal grant program for states to:

• Create, develop, expand, and maintain a comprehensive statewide digital resource guide, including housing and employment services, educational services, social services, health and wellness centers, legal services, and counseling organizations.
• Collaborate with correctional facilities to ensure that incarcerated individuals know how and where to access the resource. 
• Submit an annual report to the U.S. Attorney General for evaluation of implementation and impact of the program on the reduction of recidivism and overall successful Reentry. 

Official text of the Reentry Resource Guide Act is available here.

Original source can be found here