When a prisoner is released into a local community after serving a felony sentence, he or she is given a small cash stipend, a set of new clothes and instructions to quickly find a place to live and a secure job. Life on the outside can be a daunting task, especially for prisoners who are estranged from their families and have few marketable job skills. It’s no wonder many ex-offenders do what it takes to return to the familiar environment of prison – which often means committing a new crime.

CMC supports federal programs that help prisoners transition into productive members of society, both before and after their release from prison. Programs include job training, substance-abuse treatment, transitional housing, family skills development and life-skills training. They can be administered either before or immediately after the offender is released from prison, and can include members of the offender’s immediate family.

The purpose of re-entry programs is to reduce the rate of recidivism – the rate at which released felons commit new crimes and return to prison. CMC believes effective re-entry programs are a sound investment in the safety of our communities.