What problem does it solve? significantly reduce state spending on prisons and offenders locked up, recidivism rates would decrease due to offenders learning job skills, life skills, discipline and pride that will directly translate to them being able to stabilize themselves instead of committing crime, so they can become contributing members to the community. What is your solution and who does it apply to? non-violent low risk offender reentry programs are proven to help recidivism rates among all ex-offenders regardless of sex, race or creed. Many ex-offenders have a very hard time on the outside after serving their sentences in jails or prisons. Ex-offenders have difficulties finding jobs, adequate housing or even attaining photo identification. These difficulties lead to more problems and often cause the ex-offender to get into trouble again because they do not have the skills, discipline, resources or support to stabilize themselves. Giving offenders the ability to complete their sentence by joining the military or like program would give them life skills, jobs skills and training that directly translate to stability. This offers a support system that can be helpful and also promotes a team environment and pride to serve your community and country. While in the program mental health or substance abuse can be addressed by onsite counseling and treatment which also reduces expenses. What is the anticipated impact? The process of leaving prison can be very difficult, especially for ex-offenders and felons that have had to serve lengthy sentences. Reentry programs for ex-offenders can be very helpful for those that need a helping hand once outside prison or those who will be sentenced in the future. This will significantly reduce recidivism rates, reduce state costs to care for inmates in jails or prison and is a low risk high reward program that focuses on these offender’s life after completing their sentences. Offenders will participate all aspects of military life but will not have access to weapons, will not be permitted to be around weapons. this program would not need additional funding from the state and would save the state millions of dollars by cutting jail costs and putting resources into a alternative military skills program. this program would be for low risk, non-violent offenders, drug offenders and first-time offenders as a diversion program.
I believe this idea is impactful because according to statistics most criminals are those who didn't do well in school, so giving them a second chance to be free and to educate them to be working components in this society would be more beneficial to them and the state.
it opens doors for individuals and keeps people who get charged or convicted to make a positive change instead of having that crime or charge hinder them through life. Gives these individuals a fighting chance and will decrease poverty rates due to the elements, training, skills etc. that would be part of the program they would be required to complete in its entirety.
There should be a limit to how many times these offenders can go to an alternative program in place of jail though. After the second or third offense, the criminal should no longer have access to the alternative program. Also, such a program would be more beneficial if it were similar to a boarding school program instead of a military program. Training criminals to have military skills doesn't sound very safe.
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