Hi my name is Eduardo Arellano I was released from prison six month ago after serving a long term. While in prison I received my GED and two AA degrees. Upon my release I received another AA and I am on my way to get my Bachelors in Rehabilitation Services. I am now facing a challenge and that is finding housing. this is a challenge many parolees are facing men and women in Los Angeles.

After serving time in prison many of us lose family support and are given $200 upon our release and expected to pay rent and feed ourselves. The reality is that many parolees end up on skid row or reoffend within six months for even worst crimes. This is a big bill that eventually the tax payers end up covering. It takes $136,000 a year to support any inmate within our corrections departments.

The $200 that are given was an amount that use to cover these necessities in the sixties when this practice was started. I went thru that money in two days. I was able to find a job within two and a half moth period. That is not the case for most people coming out of prison. 

We are urging the city and state officials to implement adequate allotment of funds to help parolees to find housing and get food. this will reduce recidivism and reduce homelessness.

The reality is that people are going to continue to come out of prison and reentering our communities. It is in our best interest to help them as they come out. The government will eventually end up paying more with our tax dollars to house them back in prisons. I prefer to educate and help parolees as they move back into our communities. As a current person on parole I can tell you many of us are trying to make it out here we just need a lil help.

Support us in making this plea  Sign the petition advocate for change and help parolees gain access to fair housing and food upon release thank you.