RSSRe-entry Programs and Services for the District’s Returning Citizens
Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, and Councilmember Michael A. Brown, Chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development, announce a joint public oversight hearing on re-entry programs and services for the District’s returning citizens. The public oversight hearing will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2011 in the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson Building. This hearing notice has been revised to reflect a joint committee hearing.
The purpose of the oversight hearing is to hear and receive testimony on the status of programs and services for District residents returning from incarceration, and proposals for improving re-entry services. While services currently exist to assist with re-entry, there is consensus that these services are inadequate to meet the need. Further, research indicates that unsuccessful reentry may lead to higher recidivism rates. The Committee invites testimony on how to strengthen the current re-entry programs in the District and on what new re-entry programs may be utilized in the District to aid returning citizens.
Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Ms. Christina Setlow, Legislative Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary, at (202) 724-4865, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at csetlow@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Setlow, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011.