As Mass. considers funds for prisoner re-entry, advocates say more is needed (WBUR)
An April 24 WBUR article on the Commonwealth’s re-entry services for people who have been incarcerated quoted Elizabeth Matos, Executive Director of Prisoners’ Legal Services. An excerpt of the article is below.
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Massachusetts public safety officials recently did something unusual: They invited politicians, social service workers and journalists into a state prison to demonstrate their efforts to help those being released from custody.
The invitation came as the Department of Correction makes its case for an overall budget increase for the next fiscal year. The department is also seeking more money for programs that help people transition to life outside of prison, a process known as “re-entry.”
Last year, more than 2,000 people were released from state prisons, and many face difficulties finding jobs or housing with a criminal record, or adjusting to life after incarceration.
