Case for Support DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 5
The employment market is poor for those reentering society
after prison. Less than half of those released from prison will
have a job upon reentry to society due to a combination of
limited education, limited job skills, and a higher than average
incidence of physical and mental health problems.
With the current cost of incarcerating an individual hovering
at about $27,000.00 annually, the current system is simply
unsustainable.
Since 1980, the population of the United States has grown by
approximately 32%. In the same time, our prison populations
have grown by over 700%. At the end of 2017, Kansas prisons
were already over-capacity with incarceration numbers
expected to increase.
In the last 40 years, the prison
population of the United States has
grown by over 700%.
This is unsustainable.
Recidivism is a problem that needs to be solved for our
communities and nation to thrive. Without intervention, a
return to old criminal habits is often viewed as the only
viable survival option for incarcerated men and women after
release.
To break the cycle of recidivism, meaningful reentry programs
must address the holistic needs of the returning citizen.
Recent evaluations conducted by KDOC show that cognitive
programs, mentoring, and education services aid in breaking
this cycle and reducing recidivism.
