Reschenthaler’s “One Stop Shop” Bill to Reduce Recidivism Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed Rep. Guy Reschenthaler's (PA-14) One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act (H.R. 8161). This legislation, which Reschenthaler introduced with Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), creates resource centers to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter society.
"I know from my time as a district judge in southwestern Pennsylvania that the best way to be tough on crime is to reduce recidivism, which means fewer crimes and fewer victims," said Reschenthaler. "Today the House took an important step towards that goal by passing the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act, which will help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into society and contribute to their communities. I am grateful to Chairwoman Bass for working with me to end the revolving door between prison and the streets and empower formerly incarcerated individuals to take control of their futures, all while making our neighborhoods safer."
Specifically, H.R. 8161 reduces recidivism and invests in the safety of our communities by providing 5-year grants to community-based organizations to create community reentry centers for the roughly 600,000 Americans released from prison each year. Absent these programs and other measures, over two-thirds of those released from prison will be arrested for another crime.
These centers will offer a number of services aimed at facilitating reintegration into society including:
- Assistance with finding and maintaining employment, including job skills training
- Assistance locating and retaining housing
- Medical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment
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