The task force launches its work just as new federal money becomes available for reentry work. According to The Crime Report:
The new federal appropriations law signed this week by President Obama provides more funds for prisoner re-entry work than had previously been reported. Last [month], Crime & Justice News noted that congressional negotiators had agreed on $100 million as the main appropriation for Justice Department programs in the relatively new Second Chance Act. The Council of State Governments Justice Center reports that the law also includes $14 million for reentry initiatives in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and $108,493,000 to the Department of Labor for ex-offender activities.
Among specific line items for prisoner re-entry are $37 million for re-entry demonstration projects, $15 million for mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations, $10 million for reentry courts, $7.5 million for family-based substance abuse treatment, and $13 million for reentry substance abuse and criminal justice collaboration. The law also includes $10 million for a justice reinvestment grant program, which will provide technical assistance, incentive grants, and other activities in support of evidence-based criminal justice reform and recidivism-reduction efforts by states.
.jpg)
12 comments:
You're counting on a panel that includes Rissie O and Bradley?
"counting on"? I'm at least counting on them to meet. We'll see where it goes from there. You never know. :)
It is somewhat short of amazing that Dee Wilson and Gerald Garrett are not members of this Task Force. She heads up the reentry administration (Austin Office)for TDCJ and he does the work (Huntsville Office). i am just a lowly ex-prisoner who spent forty-four (44) years of my life incarcerated who has spent the last three and one-half (3 & 1/2)assisting others ajusting and finding resources out here, but find it "wondrous strange" that Ms. Wilson and Mr. Garrett are not being tapped for their expertise and daily hands-on experience. dan
@ Dan (6:52 a.m.) Dee Wilson is heavily involved in ALL of this and selected many of the individuals who will be sitting on this task force. Think of it as the power behind the throne.
Actually, at the judges' recent sentencing conference, Dee Wilson said she was the one who insisted John Bradley be involved on the grounds that if he didn't have buy in up front, he would get any reforms killed or vetoed in the political process (paraphrasing from memory, I'm sure she didn't put it that bluntly). She also said she'd worked with him successfully on mental health issues, FWIW.
As they say in prison: "My bad." Will dig deeper for background materials and details before putting my two-cents in again. Difficult to stay on top of all that transpires in Austin when you are outside the loop, living in Houston. Guess i should have consulted my Friday night Boss, Ray Hill. Oh, well! dan
That's fine, amigo, never hurts to keep 'em on their toes.
But it is better to post accurate information, rather than just run off at the mouth.
Nice to see that the info I found on the 2nd round of the TPC Initative and sent to Grits is actual coming to fruition. Not surprised that when Fed money is involved, things happen. Please continue to follow this closely as it could make a difference both in reentry and in lowering crime because people can change their lives.
I am going to ask a probably stupid question. Will next weeks meeting be open to the public?
Cathy
There is not an exoffender or family member of an inmate on this board. Is this board supposed to be representative of ex offenders? How do they plan to help ex offenders if they are not represented? Family members should also be a part of this as well. Is this just another way to spend tax dollars? I am asking because my son will be eligible for parole in a year and I know that it will be difficult for him and his family when he returns home. I do not trust that any of these people have the interest of the ex offender or their families in mind. I would love to be a part of this program and would volunteer to do so. Cathy
Yes Cathy, it's a public meeting.
Post a Comment