Congressman Cohen Questions Witnesses about Efforts to Reduce Recidivism
Says we need to support formerly incarcerated people as they reenter society
Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, questioned expert witnesses at a Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security hearing on the challenges and opportunities for former prisoners' reentry into society.
Following the hearing Congressman Cohen provided the following statement:
"We need to ensure that when people get out of prison, they have a chance to become productive, law-abiding citizens. Once someone has paid their debt to society, they need access to decent employment and housing. But too often, they face significant barriers and struggle to meet their basic needs. To reduce recidivism and allow those to who have returned from prison to fulfill their potential, we must remove these unnecessary barriers."
See the Congressman's exchange with witnesses here.
Earlier this month, Congressman Cohen introduced H.R. 5915, the Making Essentials Affordable and Lawful (MEAL) Act to lift restrictions on the receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for people with prior drug felony convictions. See the release on this bill here.