APPA Applauds Release of the Report Re-entry Policy Council
For Immediate Release: 01/01/2005

The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) is pleased to announce its support of the Re-Entry Policy Council’s report titled Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council.

This in-depth report serves many purposes

• to develop bipartisan recommendations that policymakers can use to improve the likelihood that adults released from prison or jail will avoid crime and become productive, healthy members of families and communities;
• it is for anyone who cares about public safety and people victimized by crime and anyone responsible for workforce development, health, housing, and family and community vitality; and
• it is for those who are in the position of making systems better through legislation, advocacy, policymaking, program development and administration, research, and public education.

At the end of 2003 over 2.2 million adults were incarcerated in the United States. More than 95 percent of those individuals will return to our communities. Many of which have substance abuse problems, are responsible for the support of children, lack a high school diploma or a GED, or may have some physical or mental disability. Re-entry is not new, but the current situation is different. The numbers re-entering society have increased dramatically, placing a strain on resources that are already stretched to the limit. Caseload sizes for community supervision officers have seen dramatic increases, making it even harder to effectively supervise these offenders in our communities. For these individuals to effectively transition back into the communities, avoid re-arrest, and become productive members of society, re-entry is a vital public safety and community well-being strategy.

APPA was an integral partner and assisted the Re-Entry Policy Council with the areas of public safety, supportive health and housing, and workforce development and employment opportunities. This report is the product of over two years’ work and more than a dozen meetings among key leaders in communities and state, local, and federal governments. The report is available for purchase or download at www.reentrypolicy.org