WHEREAS, When an individual has completed their sentencing in prison, oftentimes they are released without any assistance from family, friends, or the community. The lack of readily available resources like housing, healthcare, hygienic products, clothing, job opportunities, and access to public transportation, lead to an immediate barrier upon release from incarceration; and
WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, 75% of those who recidivated within three years did so within the first 16 months of their release date. This makes up for 64.7% of individuals who were released; and
WHEREAS, A major contributor to recidivism rates is lack of resources or connection to resources that aid prisoners’ prosocial integration into the community. In a study conducted by The Sentencing Project, it was found that people exiting prison from long-term confinement need stronger support around them. Many people exhibit a low crime risk but have high psychological, financial, and vocational demands that have been greatly exacerbated by their lengthy incarceration. Additionally, unemployment presents a significant barrier to many reentrants, as employment is essential to securing other major needs such as food, shelter, and clothing; and
WHEREAS, Providing a collection of basic resources to individuals upon release from prison can aid in the effort to lower recidivism rates and provide individuals with a better chance of successful integration back into the community. The Department of Prisons and The Office of Reentry Partnerships should work in collaboration with local resource providers to assemble a collection of resources and products to assist previously incarcerated individuals and set them up for success; and
WHEREAS, These packages may include items such as toiletries, clothing, food vouchers, public transportation vouchers, and a list of resources to assist them post incarceration. These resources may include job opportunities, mental health resources, and housing assistance. By providing these resources to reentrants, it humanizes the individual and provides support of their basic needs. In turn, this contributes to the prevention of recidivism; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby call upon the Department of Prisons and the Office of Reentry Partnerships to work in collaboration with local resource providers to develop distribution of reentry resource packages for individuals released from incarceration.
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