Policy is being developed to help with the incarcerated people who are re-entering society.
As the crime rates skyrocket lawmakers sign state legislation to allow easier access to housing, Medicaid, education and economic opportunities for reentry, according to the Charlotte Post.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order for the Department of Adult Corrections to address re-entry.
“North Carolina is not talking about rehabilitation and reentry, we are doing it,” said Todd Ishee Department of Adult Corrections Secretary. “I think this is going to change generations to come for the better.”
The order suggest that representatives of Medicaid, Education and business department create a reentry plan for incarcerated individuals while they are in prison, which includes housing for all incarcerated veterans.
The State’s Correction Department funds 28 local reentry councils, that covers 46 counties connecting people with employers. The plan is to increase the number of connecting people with job services to one hundred Counties, stated the article.
The lack of Healthcare, Housing, and employment are the greatest challenges incarcerated people face when re-entering society.
The order will clean-up street encampments and state officials believe this will impact crime and decrease burglaries and thefts, asserted the news.
NC Newsline reported that 17% of the reentry population didn’t have a housing plan, employment or the educational skills to escape poverty in 2023.
The executive order changes the old system of reentry and structures prison programs so reentry individuals can reenter society prepared.
“Prison programs kept me out of trouble, and if I get health care and educational skills for employment while serving time, I can follow the same good behavior… when I get out because this gives me hope,” said a North Carolina prison resident.
This reentry plan calls for reducing homelessness among formerly incarcerated individuals by 10% annually and provides housing for all formerly incarcerated veterans by 2030.
The state will add 1,800 housing units yearly for those leaving state facilities and the program offers permanent housing options, according to the Charlotte Post.
