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
