[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30843]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 REDUCING RECIDIVISM RATES TO BETTER PROTECT OUR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2007

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge that more be done to 
reduce the rates of recidivism in our Nation's swelling prisons. We 
must work--intelligently and compassionately--to better reintegrate 
former prisoners into our society, and the Second Chance Act of 2007 is 
effective on both counts. It intelligently saves taxpayer dollars and 
works to bolster public safety, investing resources in a consortium of 
services proven to keep ex-offenders on the right path. It 
compassionately addresses the prevalence of substance abuse and poor 
mental health in that group, and strives to strengthen broken families 
so that children may stand to benefit.
  Our prison system is a revolving door, leaving many without the ample 
skill or support necessary to become productive members of society. 
It's why a staggering majority of state prisoners are released only to 
find themselves back behind bars at least 3 years later. An increasing 
number of formerly incarcerated citizens are without suitable 
education, physical and mental health, employment, or mentoring 
services--the kind this measure would assist in providing.
  A central tenet of our criminal justice system is rehabilitation. We 
must not abandon that fruitful and moral imperative. About 650,000 
people are released from prison each year, and it is incumbent upon us 
to take preventive measures for the sake of our communities and our 
children. We owe it to them to do far, far more.

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