In Cleveland, Portman Discusses the Importance of Re-Entry Programs
Press Release
Senator Portman visited The City Club of Cleveland today to deliver remarks at a discussion on prisoner re-entry and to introduce a panel of local leaders who have demonstrated how giving former inmates a second chance can work. Portman is the author of the Second Chance Act, a law that supports state and local reentry programs to reduce recidivism while also saving taxpayer dollars. Among those participating on the panel was Brandon Chrostowski, CEO and Founder of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, who was recently named a CNN Hero and EDWINS graduate Ernie Drain. Portman has long worked with Chrostowski to help former inmates reach their God-Given potential.
Excerpts of Portman's remarks can be found below and a full video of his remarks and the panel's discussion can be seen here.
"It's my view people should not be defined by their mistakes.
"Ninety-five percent of people who are currently in jail or prison will be released someday. Ninety-five percent. Unfortunately, more than half of those who are released are now back in the system, back in jail or prison within two or three years. That's the revolving door. That recidivism costs taxpayers millions of dollars, it destroys families, it increases crime, it tears apart our communities.
"When I was in the U.S. House of Representative, I was the original author of what's called the Second Chance Act Next week will mark eight years since that bill was signed into law by President Bush.
"The Second Chance Act takes a small part of the funds we spend locking people up and invests it in breaking the cycle of recidivism through a number of programs focused on drug recovery programs, job training, and mental health treatment and other services. It has now supported hundreds of local and state agencies, nonprofits, and community- and faith-based organizations that are working to help transition inmates back into their communities with the support they need to break the grip of addiction, to get important skills to get back to work, to stay out of prison.
"In the past 10 years, we've seen the rate of recidivism in Ohio drop by 11 percent. That means a savings of millions of dollars to the taxpayer. It represents untold numbers of moms and dads who are now in their kids' lives, and untold numbers of new crimes that are never committed. It means stronger families and safer communities.
"The Second Chance Act has brought more than $19 million in grant funding to Ohio, Ohio's bee one of the most aggressive states in using it. The unfortunate fact is that the program has lost its authorization. In other words, it's already expired. And so we're fighting to get it reauthorized. We're doing this in the Senate on a bipartisan basis with Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy."
"A couple weeks ago we passed legislation called the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, or CARA. This legislation was passed in the Senate by a 94 to 1 vote. That never happens in the United States Senate.
"Addiction, too often is the reason why people end up in the criminal justice system in the first place and throwing people in jail or prison has not proven successful in order to deal with that addiction issue. My bill will provide resources for diversion programs for people who face criminal charges because of an addiction, and expand the treatment offered within the criminal justice system to include medication-assisted treatment. It expands educational programs for offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities so that we can do a better job of helping individuals get an education and re-enter the workforce.
"Getting these two bills to President Obama's desk and into law is important to communities in Ohio."
Source