Rep. Payne, Jr. Votes to Help Citizens Re-Enter Society

Press Release

Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for a bill today to create community centers to help Americans return to society after they completed a prison sentence. The bill, the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2021 (H.R. 3372) would authorize federal grants to create the centers and provide them with the resources necessary to meet the needs of formerly-incarcerated Americans nationwide. Special preference would be given to grant recipients who intend to provide jobs to returning citizens. Also, the bill would require the U.S. Attorney General to collect data on the centers to measure effectiveness and establish a 24/7 service assistance hotline for returning Americans to get training and support.

"This bill will give hope to thousands of returning citizens that they can re-enter American society successfully," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. "Too many of these Americans struggle with life after incarceration because they lack the support and resources to find employment and become responsible citizens. I am a strong supporter of efforts to help our returning citizens. I voted for the First Step Act to expand prison rehabilitation programs that focus on helping them get jobs when they have finished their sentence. In addition, I voted to reauthorize the Second Chance Act, which provides $165 million for re-entry programs, housing, substance abuse treatments, and childcare for returning Americans. These citizens have paid their debt to society and deserve a second chance. This bill will support them in their efforts to rehabilitate themselves into productive citizens again."

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