Deal Reveals Plans for Third Wave of Criminal Justice Reform
Governor Nathan Deal’s office is revealing plans for more criminal justice reforms, the third stage of a three-part overhaul to the system that’s spanned most of his first term.As heard on the radio
After pushing reforms in 2012 that moved nonviolent offenders into treatment facilities and reforming the juvenile justice system earlier this year, Deal’s 2014 legislative agenda will include proposals aimed at easing the re-entry process for former inmates who’ve completed rehabilitation programs.
Deal’s plan would use existing corrections funds to hire five more housing councilors to help those recently released from prison find somewhere to live. It would also bar some state agencies from disqualifying job applicants because they have a conviction on their record.
“It allows them to go in and make their case, explain what happened and explain how they want to change their lives,” said Deal’s spokesperson, Brian Robinson. “And having that human connection, having that face-to-face will open up some doors that have remained closed in the past.”
Robinson said the state’s recidivism rate, meaning the percentage of offenders who return to prison, is at 34 percent. He says Deal’s proposals are aimed at getting that number down.
Robinson says the governor will shy away from some more controversial reforms, like offering incentives to companies who hire ex-offenders or funneling more funding toward job training programs.
“We don’t want to create an uneven playing field that gives a leg up to someone because they’re an ex-convict,” Robinson said.
Deal will outline more specifics in his State of the state address next month.
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