Del. Officials announce initiative to reduce incarceration and recidivism
GEORGETOWN, Del. – “When these guys get out, most of them have no place to go,” said The Way Home men’s house manager Melvin Jones.
On Tuesday, local and state officials celebrated what they’re calling a huge milestone for Sussex County after the United States Department of Justice awarded one local organization $500,000 to help lower the incarceration and recidivism rates in the area.
“Our corrections systems are very much at capacity, it’s really important that when people get released, that they stay released ,” said Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long.
The money, awarded through the Second Chance Act Grant will go to The Way Home organization in Georgetown who help former inmates transition from prison to the Sussex County are and keep them from becoming re-offenders.
“There’s that phase of yay I’m out, and when that wears off, the reality is I now need to figure out what I am going to do with my life ,” said The Way Home executive director Paulette Rappa.
Officials with The Way Home say they will use the newly awarded funds to create the tomorrow’s vision today, shaping second chances program. Which will provide eligible inmates with six months of support in advance of their release, and up to 12 months of support services upon release in order to help them re-acclimate back into the community.
“When an individual is released, if they know where to go for transportation, for housing, how to get a drivers license, have those support mechanisms, they’re much less likely to find themselves back in old behaviors of crime,” said Hall-Long.
Officials add that by providing these essential support services, these former inmates are being offered the hope of a new beginning and a better shot at turning their lives around.
“Lets take a look at those risk factors, what got them there, what was the trauma, and how do we unfold that,” said Rappa.
Officials add that the new funds will also be used to have peer support and case managers work directly with offenders to help reduce the recidivism rate and homelessness. Veterans released from prison will also receive specialized assistance with housing, reentry, employment, and connection with VA benefits.
