Article on whyy.org on Oct 21, 2021 by Mark Eichamnn. Delaware Governor John Carney has signed an executive order to address recidivism. He helped unveil a blueprint plan (PDF) for better supporting people as they’re released from prison. Training options will be expanded in prisons to help prepare them for work after release. Access to affordable housing is also a key factor in whether someone returns to prison after release, experts say.
The blueprint includes these actions to reduce recidivism:
- Strengthen vocational training options in Delaware prisons
- Establish at least one apprenticeship program; it wasn’t quite clear, but it appears the program targets an associate degree in human services, for jobs like social workers
- Allow individuals with felony records to apply to rejoin their families in public housing, which had previously been prohibited
- For re-entrants that had addiction problems on entering prison, giving them transition accountability plans to connect them with the right programs.
- Expand medication and treatment options for those in prison with opioid use disorgers