Criminal justice reforms have been elusive in the first session of the 117th Congress, but there have been bright spots for those who know where to look. One such development has been the Department of Justice’s Reentry Coordination Council (RCC). Required under Section 505 of the First Step Act (P.L. 115-391), the RCC represents a federal interagency initiative to improve outcomes for men and women transitioning back into society at the completion of a prison sentence. In addition to several federal agencies, the RCC also includes service providers, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal government representatives.
Most prisons offer a range of education and vocational programs, but successful reintegration back into society may be jeopardized if a person does not have access to life necessities like food and a place to sleep each night upon his or her release. Also, agency program rules may be complex or inconsistent across agencies, making smooth transitions difficult. By working together alongside organizations that see firsthand how federal programs are working, agencies can identify and remove bureaucratic barriers to individuals’ success.
The RCC is currently preparing a report to Congress early next year on what recommendations it proposes to achieve the best possible results for those to be released from incarceration.
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