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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole
Reigelman |
State Rep. Mark Cohen |
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Cohen seeks to ease ex-offender transition to the community, reduce recidivism
HARRISBURG, April 26 – State Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has introduced a measure that would help ease the transition of ex-offenders back into their communities and help them market their skills.
Cohen’s bill (H.B. 1174) would require a prison to provide an offender with verification of his or her prison work history, and documentation of all the education and treatment programs completed while in custody, shortly before release.
The legislation also would require prison personnel to determine if the offender has a valid driver’s license or official state photo identification in preparation of his or her release, and if not, to make arrangements so the offender obtains valid identification before being released.
“Often the people who have completed their debt to society are left with little more than the clothes on their backs when they are released,” Cohen said. “They have served their time and have overwhelming challenges in front of them in their return to their community.
“We can help them get their feet under them and make it easier to find a job by giving them verification of their work experience and skills, and also the identification needed to apply for a job.”
Cohen said finding gainful employment is a vital piece of reducing recidivism.
“If people have a way to support themselves -- something to occupy their time -- something to take pride in, they have less need to turn to crime,” Cohen said. “My measure would help people get on the right track toward a more positive future.”
Cohen’s bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
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