Fattah Speaks at National Second Chances Re-Entry Conference

Announces $1.2 Million Grant for Local Ex-Offender Job Training Program

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Subcommittee Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies will deliver remarks at the Second Chances and Safer Communities Conference in Washington, DC on how best to measure recidivism. The conference, attended by over 500 guests and hosted by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, will connect federal officials, researchers and specialist to examine the best practices of successful reentry programs. 

Fattah said, "With bipartisan support from Capitol Hill and the terrific support from DOJ, DOL, and other cabinet agencies, state and local leaders have matched federal funding with local dollars to launch innovative programs that will assist people as they emerge from prison. These programs are crucial to ensuring that former inmates have all the necessary resources they need to adjust to living outside the confines of prison."

Attorney General Eric Holder opened the three day conference reiterating the Justice Department's overall efforts to not just reduce crime but to reduce recidivism as well.

Congressman Fattah also announced today that Philadelphia's Impact Services Corporation will receive a two-year, $1.2 million grant from the Department of Labor (DOL) to provide job training for ex-offenders returning to high-poverty, high-crime communities. The funds are part of a larger $20.5 million DOL grant issued under the Reintegration of Ex-Offenders – Adult program.

Impact Services Corporation will partner with the Community College of Philadelphia to provide recognized job certificate training for 400 ex-offenders in the areas of automotive, small business, entrepreneurial, human services and personal training. Additionally, Impact will collaborate with Men in Motion in the Community (MIMIC) to provide mentoring services to the former inmates.

Fattah said, "These grants will go a long way in providing the help ex-offenders need to develop critical skills that will lead them to better employment opportunities.  As they re-enter society and work to become productive citizens contributing to their communities we must do everything in our power to help them and help break the cycle of recidivism.  These funds will help to do that."

The Reintegration of Ex-Offenders - Adult Program (RExO), formerly known as the Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI), is designed to strengthen urban communities through an employment-centered program that incorporates mentoring, job training, and other comprehensive transitional services. This program seeks to reduce recidivism by helping former inmates find work when they return to their communities.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah