Trone Calls on Attorney General Merrick Garland to Reduce Recidivism
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2022
Contact: Sloane Gallagher, Sloane.Gallagher@mail.house.gov
Trone Calls on Attorney General Merrick Garland to Reduce Recidivism
Attorney General Merrick Garland and Rep. David Trone discuss the Fresh Start Act. You can view their conversation here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) called for immediate action to create an opportunity pipeline and reduce recidivism during a hearing held by the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. The hearing focused on the Department of Justice’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2023.
During the hearing, Trone discussed the steps necessary to equip the Bureau of Prisons with resources to reduce recidivism.
“The Bureau of Prisons should use any increased funding to improve access to these programs and ensure individuals are better prepared for returning to our communities,” said Congressman Trone. “The data is clear: the best tool to reduce recidivism is a job. Before I came to Congress, I employed hundreds of returning citizens — these folks are dedicated, and they deserve a second chance.”
The Department of Justice recently reported that only 50% of individuals in federal custody have completed or are enrolled in career programming that the Department has determined will reduce their likelihood of future recidivism.
Trone went on to urge the Attorney General to assess clean slate initiatives across the country, as state-passed legislation often faces barriers to fund the expensive record expungement process. In October 2021, Trone introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Fresh Start Act, which would increase funding for automated record expungement processes to help justice-impacted individuals find employment opportunities.
Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees in the 117th Congress. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.
Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
###
