In Response to Republican Attempt to Undermine the Cares Act, Let’s Make the Program Permanent!
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cares Act was hastily enacted to address numerous issues, including the release of federal inmates to home confinement. While the Cares Act may have been born out of necessity, it has proven to be a groundbreaking initiative for reducing recidivism rates.
The Cares Act: A Game-Changer for Reducing Recidivism
The Cares Act, designed primarily as a pandemic relief program, unintentionally became an incredibly effective tool in reducing recidivism. By allowing non-violent and low-risk inmates to serve the remainder of their sentences under home confinement, the Cares Act has demonstrated unprecedented success in the effort to reduce reoffending. Federal inmates who met the criteria that had less than an 18-month sentence were released after serving 25% of their time, and people with longer sentences were released after serving 50% of their sentence. The evidence is clear and undeniable: three years of data from Cares Act recipients on home confinement shows a remarkable recidivism rate of less than 1%.
Recidivism: A Persistent Issue
Recidivism is an enduring problem that plagues our nation’s criminal justice system. High rates of reoffending not only perpetuate a cycle of crime but also strain our already overburdened prison system. The negative consequences of recidivism extend far beyond the individuals involved; it affects families, communities, and society at large.
Making the Cares Act Permanent
Given the undeniable success of the Cares Act in reducing recidivism, it is imperative to make this program, or a program like it, permanent for releasing inmates. Here are some compelling reasons why this initiative should be continued and expanded:
Cost Savings: By reducing recidivism, we can significantly reduce the enormous financial burden of maintaining an ever-expanding prison population. The Cares Act has demonstrated that effective alternatives to incarceration can not only save taxpayers’ money but also direct resources toward more pressing issues.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Home confinement under the Cares Act allows inmates to maintain family connections, secure employment, and access community support programs. This approach fosters a more conducive environment for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society, a crucial step in breaking the cycle of crime.
Promoting Public Safety: Individuals classified as low-risk, non-violent offenders undergoing sentence fulfillment through home confinement present a minimal threat to public safety. During their home confinement period, they adhere to stringent regulations, maintaining constant accountability and adhering to curfews, among other restrictions. By facilitating their reintegration into society within the framework of these strict guidelines, we actively contribute to a safer and more secure community.
Data-Driven Results: The data doesn’t lie. The Cares Act’s three years of success in reducing recidivism provide a solid foundation for its permanence. We have seen the positive impact it has had on individuals’ lives and communities. It is now our duty to build upon this success.
The Cares Act: A Target for Political Undermining With S.J. Res 47
Unfortunately, some Republicans are working to undermine the Cares Act with S.J Res 47. This legislation would send recipients of this program back to prison. It is crucial to recognize that maintaining the Cares Act is not a partisan issue but rather a matter of justice, rehabilitation, and fiscal responsibility. Both sides of the aisle should acknowledge and support the program’s success to ensure the best outcomes for our society.
Conclusion
The Cares Act, born out of the pandemic’s urgency, has unintentionally become the most effective program in reducing recidivism. With a recidivism rate of less than 1%, the evidence is clear: this program works, and it is in our best interest to make it a permanent solution for inmate rehabilitation. We must set aside political differences and prioritize the welfare of our communities, the rehabilitation of individuals, and the wise allocation of resources. In making the Cares Act, or a program like it, permanent, we take a significant step towards a more just and effective criminal justice system.
