The importance of reentry services for offenders has gained public prominence. The Department of Justice and Attorney General Loretta Lynch recently underscored this by announcing National Reentry Week April 24-30. During this week, the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. attorney’s offices and others will coordinate and promote various reentry events, such as job fairs, mentorship programs and other community activities like the ones we organize frequently from this center.

The Santa Ana BI Day Reporting Center, funded by California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and operated by BI Incorporated, is an example of how offender reentry programs can offer great benefit to local communities. The Santa Ana DRC delivers intensive supervision, treatment and training so offenders develop the skills and motivation to live a crime-free life. The CDCR diverts offenders to the program who pose lower risk to community safety but higher risk of failing probation or parole. Participants attend classes that focus on reducing criminal issues and technical violations. These issues include substance abuse, anger management, life skills, cognitive skills and employment and educational training.

Importantly, when former offenders succeed in these programs, they are less likely to commit new crimes and cycle back to jail or prison. That helps reduce incarceration costs and premature need for expanded prisons or jails.

Make no mistake: Offenders who go to reentry programs like ours do hard work. They commit to regimented schedules, rules and classes in which they must contribute to successfully complete it. But when they do, we take time to celebrate along with them on the path to reintegration.

To read Yadira De Santiago's entire article, please click here.