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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Overcoming barriers to successful re-entry in Alabama

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Wednesday, June 19, 2024   

Alabama has a goal to reduce recidivism by 50% by 2030 but a recent report from the Prison Fellowship warned state-level barriers to critical needs may hinder progress.

Every year, thousands of men and women are released from state prisons and jails. However, despite repaying their debt to society, they encounter roadblocks to successful reintegration. The so-called "collateral consequences" affect their access to housing, education and more.

Kate Trammell, vice president of legal and advocacy for the Prison Fellowship, emphasized the need to address obstacles to empower returning citizens to build better lives.

"One of the first things that policymakers or voters should be thinking about, about their neighbors with a criminal record, is how can we help ensure that they aren't prevented from accessing safe, affordable housing?" Trammell urged. "A second thing is, how can we ensure that they aren't prevented from accessing meaningful jobs?"

Barriers exist on local, state and federal levels and their wide reach restricts access to assistance programs such as SNAP. In Alabama alone, advocates said there are 824 barriers impeding an individual's journey toward a second chance.

About 37% of state-level obstacles are related to job licensing and can play a role in keeping people from finding jobs with advancement potential. Trammell highlighted the significance of employment in securing a stable future and underscores how addressing reentry cannot only benefit individuals but communities as well.

"Research shows that just having a stable job by itself can have a deterrent effect on future criminal behavior," Trammell pointed out. "That's really significant if we're thinking about how to make sure our neighborhoods are safe and strong."

At the state level, work is underway to improve the state's reentry plan. Fifteen agencies have created a plan to support Alabama's reentry strategy by simplifying the process of getting state IDs, improving access to behavioral health and addiction treatment and increasing participation in job training.

The Prison Fellowship reports about 70 million Americans with criminal records face systematic barriers to second-chance opportunities.


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