Washington state officially joins Reentry 2030

“Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order Monday to deepen and expand Washington’s efforts to prepare individuals for successful reentry in communities upon leaving prison.

“His order calls for developing ‘a comprehensive entry and exit process’ tailored to each person’s needs in areas such as housing, employment, health care, substance use treatment, and mental health services.

“It also seeks to ensure each person has a Washington identification card or driver’s license and information on how to access social services.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s executive order this week enlists Washington in a nationwide initiative known as Reentry 2030.

“And it enlists Washington in a nationwide initiative known as Reentry 2030 that aims to reduce recidivism by boosting the successful reentry of those leaving state-run correctional facilities.

“‘This executive order is basically a public safety executive order,’ Inslee told a large crowd gathered in William Philip Hall at the University of Washington Tacoma. It does so by committing the state to provide services needed to keep individuals from returning to prison, he said.

“‘This is a major effort to reduce crime,’ Inslee added. ‘What we’re doing basically is telling everyone who leaves our custody and our Department of Corrections a statement: We have provided you the services you need to succeed outside of our walls. So good luck, now don’t come back.’

“Washington is the sixth state to sign onto the nationwide initiative known as Reentry 2030. Missouri was the first, in July 2023, followed by Alabama, North Carolina, Nebraska, and New York. Inslee is the second governor to embed the initiative goals into an executive order.

“Reentry 2030 is a partnership between the Correctional Leaders Association, The Council of State Governments Justice Center, JustLeadershipUSA and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice.”

Read more at WashingtonStateStandard.com.