Press Releases - Rep. Moore Hosts Forum with Rep. Danny Davis (IL) on Ex-offender and Incarceration Issues

Rep. Moore Hosts Forum with Rep. Danny Davis (IL) on Ex-offender and Incarceration Issues
Forum Addresses Ways to Promote Successful Re-entry into Society

(Milwaukee, WI)— Last Saturday, Congresswoman Gwen Moore hosted a community forum, entitled "A Dialogue about Ex-offender and Incarceration Issues," to discuss issues faced by incarcerated citizens, as well as how best to promote successful re-entry into society in order to give ex-offenders the best chance to stay out of the prison system. Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07), sponsor of H.R. 1704, The Second Chance Act, and H.R. 3072, a bill to reestablish the U.S. Parole Commission, joined Moore as a special guest.

Topics covered at the forum included re-entry and job programs for ex-offenders, treatment and education versus incarceration, racial disparity in sentencing, and new policies that could help reduce incarceration rates for both adults and youth. Kit Murphy McNally, Executive Director of the Benedict Center, served as moderator for the town hall meeting, which was attended by over 100 community members.

"The number of Americans behind bars has skyrocketed in recent decades, as our country locks up more and more first-time offenders for non-violent crimes," said Congresswoman Moore. "The fact is, 95 percent of those in our over-burdened prison system will return to the community, with little to no assistance in terms of transitional housing, vocational and educational programs, or drug treatment. If we want to reduce recidivism, we need to confront these issues, and Congressman Davis' Second Chance Act is a step in the right direction."

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http://www.house.gov/list/press/wi04_moore/pr060729.html