A CHANCE TO THRIVE
NOT JUST SURVIVE
Better Reentry Benefits All New Yorkers.
Stand with us and support Reentry Assistance.
“I came home with just $40 to put in my pocket.
I bought a Metro Card and it was gone.”
— Anthony, New York City
Quick Facts
218 people could receive $2550
in reentry assistance for the same cost of incarcerating 1 person at Rikers for 1 year.
(the amount this bill proposes)
40%
of justice-impacted experience joblessness at any given time in New York State, and that remains consistent over the course of multiple years.
20%
of formerly incarcerated people report food insecurity — double that of the general population.
1900 people
in Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters either released from jail or on parole in NewYork City at any given time this year so far.
23.1%
of persons staying in a single adult shelter had a recent history of incarceration, with 17.0% being people released from jail.
2006 NYC Study
Our Advocates
Our Mission
When people transitioning from incarceration have the necessary support, the entire community will benefit.
About the Reentry Assistance Bill
WHAT IS THE REENTRY
ASSISTANCE BILL?
The Reentry Assistance Bill (A. 193 / Gibbs) is new legislation to provide meaningful financial support through the creation of a Reentry Assistance Fund. This bill would address current reentry challenges in two ways:
1) It will require that New York make a targeted investment in returning people at the most critical time of reentry, and
2) It will require New York to codify gate money, and to produce annual reports - increasing transparency for policymakers and the public.
The bill is being led by a coalition of justice-impacted individuals, allies and allied organizations. It is an evidence-based solution that will better ensure a true opportunity for success for returning New Yorkers who are eager to become contributing and successful members of their communities.
Key Messages
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The relationship between poverty and recidivism is straightforward. Reentry is often accompanied by economic instability and exclusion from opportunities. The Reentry Assistance Bill directly confronts systemic barriers faced by justice-impacted people while promoting public safety and contributing to economic growth.
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The period after release is the most vulnerable time for people returning home. Often excluded from social programs and faced with financial hurdles such as justice-related debt, the lack of support forces people to make impossible decisions that can lead to reincarceration.
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Reentry financial assistance prompts a journey to self-sufficiency, setting justice-impacted people up for success. Research collected and independently verified highlighted the positive impact of direct cash payments on long-term employment-–one of the key indicators of recidivism. Recipients primarily used the cash payments for daily life essentials such as groceries, car payments, childcare, and rent, allowing justice-impacted people to focus on obtaining stable employment.
Reentry Assistance Partners
SUPPORT THE BILL
Better Reentry Benefits All New Yorkers.
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SUPPORT THE BILL
Join the campaign and stand for effective reentry with dignity for returning New Yorkers.
Show your support as an: