Senator Hwang Joins Bipartisan Coalition, Advocates for Increased Reentry Center Funding Canino, Joseph ​ Liegeot, Adam ​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2024

Media Contact:
Joe Canino
860-294-6918
[email protected]

Senator Hwang Joins Bipartisan Coalition, Advocates for Increased Reentry Center Funding

HARTFORD – On Friday, March 22nd in Hartford at Community Partners in Action (Hartford/Waterbury), a bipartisan group of advocates spoke in favor of a state budget allocation of $3 million for reentry centers supporting recently incarcerated individuals. Senator Tony Hwang joined Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampulam, Hartford Foundation President/CEO Jay Williams, Career Resources (Bridgeport)  President/CEO Scott Wilderman, Community Partners in Action (CPA) Executive Director Beth Hines, and other community advocates to push for this essential funding that will keep these centers alive.

These centers like CPA provide essential services to people leaving prison lacking family support, job skills, housing, mental healthcare, and more. Notably, 93% of individuals leaving the prison system between June 1st and December 31st last year reported having a substance use problem. Of the same population, 65% of individuals did not have a high school diploma, and 37% had a moderate to severe mental health disorder. Left unaddressed, these issues can compound on each other, and lead to increased recidivism. The panel advocated for funding to keep these centers open, without which thousands would lose critical support.

“The sense of urgency is so strong in this case. With federal funding running out this year, these centers need state funding just to survive. This is a bicameral, bipartisan issue. To lift someone up, give them a job, make them a contributing member of society, costs significantly less than the challenges and tragedies of recidivism.” Said Senator Tony Hwang.

“Senator Hwang has been a long-time advocate for many years, but he always believed people deserve a second chance, and he was very supportive in helping us establish a center in the Bridgeport region. That center is funded through ARPA and those dollars run out July 1. We have no idea what we are going to do after that day without more funding.” Said Scott Wilderman.

“The primary service that people need when they come to the center is housing. In three weeks, the warming shelter in Hartford will close, where will those people go? And I don’t have an answer. These people have nowhere else to go. As a state we can do better.” Said Beth Hines.