Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 23, 2022 09:43 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa M. Boscola |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | The Prison-to-Employment Pipeline, Decreasing the Recidivism Rate in Pennsylvania. |
| Soon I plan to introduce legislation creating employment opportunities for nonviolent incarcerated individuals in State/County facilities in our Commonwealth, in an effort to reduce our Commonwealth's recidivism rate (41%) - one of the highest in the nation. It has long been recognized that employment has a negative correlation with crime. Ex-incarcerated people can face tremendous difficulties in obtaining employment opportunities post-release, whether due to lacking necessary job skills for specific positions, or a reluctance from employers to hire those with a criminal record. However, studies have found in prison-to-work programs that those who secure employment see recidivism rates drop from 30-70% to 3.3-8%. That is why my bill will establish a business-to-prison partnership program, and additional career prep opportunities for incarcerated individuals that will provide them employment opportunities upon release. My bill is modeled off of the recently criminal justice reforms in Oklahoma, and several other prison-to-work laws passed in other states. I encourage my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation. |