One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms.

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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I come today before the House first in strong support of Congresswoman Bass' bill, the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are released from custody after serving their time, and reentry services are a crucial tool to help these individuals find success when they return home.

However, in many cases, returning individuals are not given adequate support to succeed as they reintegrate in our communities. Too often they struggle to access safe and affordable housing, educational opportunities, and steady employment. This bill will provide critical, accessible, and comprehensive resources to these individuals including job training and help to obtain IDs, housing, mental health services, and more.

Importantly, this bill would also expand services that I have direct experience to know are critical to increasing the success of reentering citizens.

Prior to coming to Congress, I had the opportunity to work with returning citizens in the cutting-edge Federal reentry court started in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tim Rice and now Third Circuit Judge Felipe Restrepo.

We saw in that courtroom how mentoring and legal assistance often were the key to successful reentry by returning citizens. The additional services provided by the reentry court and related nonprofits resulted in a two-thirds reduction in recidivism by participants in that program.

So in addition to supporting the underlying bill, I am proud to offer my colleague, Ms. Pressley's, amendment to the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act.

This amendment will ensure that the grant program is evaluated for its effectiveness. We know that it is not enough to create a grant program, we must also ensure effective implementation of that program and that the critical government resources we make available are meeting the needs of the intended recipients and are a productive use of taxpayer resources.

This additional provision will require evaluation of the grant program and allow recommendations to improve the program and reduce any barriers to access.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. SCANLON. Jackson Lee).

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me rise in great enthusiasm for an important amendment that calls for an evaluation and a determination as to whether or not this is impacting positively those who are in the program.

I have already read stories about Robert and a number of others; if this program spreads across America to urban hamlets, villages, counties, and rural communities, then we need to know how effective it is.

I am almost positive it will be very effective as a worthwhile investment for the 600,000 people who are released, but this amendment will ensure that we have the right kind of amendment for best practices and best evidence.

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Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would simply encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of Representative Pressley's amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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