An additional $5 million in funding was allocated to the justice reinvestment grant program that counties receive for reentry and recidivism reduction programs in the final days of the legislative session. This is in addition to the $35 million already allocated in the Criminal Justice Commission budget, which passed a few weeks ago.
While not the full expected cost-avoidance amount of $53 million that AOC and other advocates were seeking at the start of session, the $40 million fund reaffirms the Legislature’s commitment to continue successful local programs and avoid prison growth.
AOC Policy Manager Patrick Sieng deals with public safety issues and carries a badge