Attorney General Racine Marks National Reentry Week by Calling Attention to Needs of Returning Citizens in the District

WASHINGTON, D. C. – Attorney General Karl A. Racine today marked National Reentry Week by calling attention to the needs of citizens returning to the District after incarceration. The United States Department of Justice and the Council of the District of Columbia have both designated April 24-30, 2016 as National Reentry Week.

“The Office of the Attorney General is invested in the success of the men and women who are returning to their communities after incarceration,” Attorney General Racine said. “They have served their time; now we need to make a commitment to them that there is a place to return to as contributing members of society. Returning citizens have many challenges to navigate – including finding stable housing, gaining employment, managing mental health and substance abuse problems, and reintegrating into their families and communities. By supporting returning citizens through these challenges, we can provide them with a stable foundation for a productive life, while at the same time reducing recidivism and improving public safety. We are committed to helping these citizens and their families thrive.”

It is estimated that more than 3,500 residents return to the District from incarceration each year, and they often face significant challenges re-integrating into their communities and becoming productive members of society. For example, one study by the District’s Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency found that 41 percent of returning citizens had difficulty meeting housing needs, and that 14 percent of parolees had moved at least three times or had lived in an emergency shelter in the previous year. Moreover, returning citizens often face a number of barriers to reconnection with their families and children. The Office of the Attorney General is conducting a review of best practices from around the United States for helping returning citizens adapt to life post-incarceration. The report resulting from that review will assist the District’s policymakers in continuing to bring best practices to the city.