According to Department of Justice figures, an estimated 650,000 men and women are released from prisons every year in America.  In addition, over 7 million men and women are released from jails every year in the United States.  Of the 3, 000 to 4,000 prisoners returning to Wayne County annually from State prisons – 80% of them return to the City of Detroit.

The failure of these men and women to reintegrate successfully back into society after release has devastating emotional and economic effects on the entire community, particularly the children of our community.  

For the past several years, reentry has found its way to the forefront of America’s political dialogue. It is seldom disputed that improved prisoner reentry strategies and progressive polices that improve ex-offender success are key factors to reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.  Policy makers, government officials, and community leaders all recognize the importance of working collaboratively to reduce the barriers associated with ex-offenders obtaining employment, adequate housing, necessary training, and access to substance abuse treatment and health services.

DCJP, through its Weed and Seed Reentry Project and its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) partnerships is committed to working with law enforcement and human service providers to reduce crime within the Weed and Seed and PSN targeted neighborhoods. DCJP’s reentry efforts are focused on enhancing the level of services available to ex-offenders and their families.  

In 2005, the State of Michigan, initiated the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI).  Its goal is to create safer neighborhoods and better citizens by implementing a seamless plan of services and supervision developed with each returning prisoner—delivered through state and local collaboration—from the time of an individual’s entry to prison through their transition, reintegration, and aftercare in the community.   DCJP’s partnership with MPRI has included the Weed and Seed Men’s Clothing Closet and the Greyhound Assistance Project.

For More About Reentry Please Visit:
http://www.michpri.com
http://www.doleta.gov/pri
http://www.reentry.gov/
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/reentry/reentry.htm
http://reentrypolicy.org/reentry/default.aspx
http://www.reentrymediaoutreach.org/
http://www.urban.org/Pressroom/prisonerreentry.cfm
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181413.pdf