Right now the state of Minnesota has one new and one old way of getting incarcerated people "home for good": reducing crime, homelessness, prison overcrowding and violence, while saving taxpayers money. This is exciting, and we are asking the Department of Corrections to do so. Specifically:
1. Ensure that everyone actually has the opportunity to earn "release credits" under the new
Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA). People doing their best should be rewarded, regardless of what programming is offered. As important, the 1,300+ people eligible for release before Jan. 1, 2025, should have their release credits awarded on Aug. 1, 2023, when the law goes into effect.
2. Allow incarcerated people to earn work release--to work or go to college or vocational training in the community--at up to "half of the term of imprisonment" as specified by
state law 244.065. As important, end exclusions in DOC policy not state law to give everyone a chance to
earn this.
Taxpayers pay approximately $63,000/year for just one person to be incarcerated. If people demonstrate change, they should be set up to succeed with the MRRA and work release, not sit in a cage being forced to work for $0.25 an hour. Both changes would mean an increase in safety, health, wealth, and tax dollars in our communities and are desperately needed by incarcerated people and their families.
Join us for the "Home for the Holidays" Power Gathering on Saturday November 18th, 1-3pm at 1035 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis! Or on facebook: https://fb.me/e/37776MToF
