Greater than 95% of the people who are currently incarcerated in California will eventually return home, but will they all have a place to call home? Actually, California currently does not have adequate infrastructure in place to ensure that those who have been involved in the criminal legal system can successfully rebuild their lives, increasing the likelihood of re-incarceration, and perpetuating a traumatizing cycle. 

It currently costs about $106,000 per year to incarcerate one inmate in prison in California, and this cost continues to rise, according to the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO). Reductions in the size of California’s Prison Population in recent years have resulted in over $1.5 billion dollars in cost savings for the state. In order to continue reducing these costs, there needs to be a policy in place to help this vulnerable population secure housing and employment services. This is where AB 1816 comes to play. 

In California, about half of the individuals who are experiencing homelessness have reported a history of incarceration. In fact, individuals who have been formerly incarcerated are 27 times more likely to be homeless than the general population. These alarming statistics demonstrate that there is a connection between homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice system. Over 30,000 people leave prison on parole or early release each year. However, individuals who are on parole are seven times more likely to recidivate or re-offend, when homeless than when housed. Currently, California does not have the infrastructure in place to help individuals who have been recently released from prison rebuild their lives. In fact, these individuals are vulnerable to recidivism, unemployment, housing insecurity, and homelessness.  

AB 1816, the Reentry Housing and Workforce Development Program, seeks to address these concerns that face recently incarcerated individuals. Via the provision of funding to counties and nonprofit organizations in California, this act aims to ensure vulnerable individuals are securely linked with housing, education, and employment services. In doing so, these individuals will be supported in their efforts at successful reintegration into society. This program has benefits that transcend all Californians, as it is estimated that recidivism rates, or the reoffense rates, of previously homeless and incarcerated individuals, decrease by 40-60% upon attainment of stable housing. Additionally, access to stable housing is connected with the increased likelihood of securing employment and income. Coupled with these positive outcomes, these efforts translate to cost-saving benefits for taxpayers as it is far more expensive to incarcerate an individual at approximately $100,000 per year than it is to provide supportive housing at roughly $20,000 annually. 

Showing your support for AB 1816 by signing this petition equates to actively seeking to obtain these benefits for not only this vulnerable population but also for California as a whole. Make it known to our state legislators that AB 1816 is part of the solution to addressing homelessness and recidivism in California!