Several organizations call on legislators to pass bills that lower recidivism and alleviate barriers for people returning from prison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JACKSON, Miss. – Advocacy organizations, including Mississippi Center for Re-entry, New Way Mississippi, Inc., HOPE Policy Institute, RECH Foundation, and American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, will hold a news conference February 24, 2022, 9:30 a.m. CT on the South steps of the Mississippi State Capitol Building.

Four out of five people who have experienced incarceration will return to prison. No one entity or organization can fully provide the services and resources that individuals re-entering society need. Mississippi legislators have the power to pass three necessary bills that will remove barriers that lead to recidivism. These organizations are calling on legislators to support smart solutions to the issues faced in our criminal legal system.

WHO: Mississippi Center for Re-entry, New Way Mississippi, Inc., HOPE Policy Institute, RECH Foundation, and American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi

WHAT: Advocacy organizations will hold a news conference calling on legislators to pass three specific bills that provide better support to people returning to society and lower recidivism.

WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 9:30 – 10 a.m. CT

WHERE: Mississippi State Capitol Building, South steps, 400 High St. Jackson, MS 39201

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Mississippi Center for Re-Entry works to ensure people who desire a second chance have that opportunity for successful reintegration. Their mission is to spread the love of Jesus while disrupting the cycles of incarceration in Desoto, Tunica, Marshall and Tate counties.

NEW WAY MISSISSIPPI, INC. is a charitable organization that is dedicated to assisting individuals who are returning citizens from incarceration.  We provide Returning citizens with housing, food, and employment training classes.  We encourage program participants to get a job and stay out of prison.

HOPE Policy Institute serves as the policy division of HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union).  Through independent analysis grounded in the experiences of HOPE’s programs and its members, the Policy Institute influences policies that affect the allocation of resources and facilitates an environment to ensure that all people prosper. 

RECH Foundation helps individuals and families impacted by crime and incarceration by providing transitional housing and reintegration services to the formerly incarcerated.

The ACLU of Mississippi is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that defends and expands the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all Mississippians guaranteed under the United States and Mississippi Constitutions, through its litigation, legislative and public education programs. It is an affiliate of the national ACLU.