A 1999 study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that over 40% of inmates return to incarceration within three years of their initial release. Artificial and often superfluous barriers prohibit ex-offenders from becoming contributing members of society.
A review of the literature irrefutably finds that the probability of ex-offenders recidivating is tremendously reduced if he or she has been able to reintegrate fully into society. However, the plethora of current restrictions on employment opportunities has considerable adverse affects on the rehabilitation process of an ex-offender, thus significantly hindering the likelihood of an ex-offender ever becoming successfully rehabilitated.
Mr. Tarantino’s proposal is fair and equitable for potential PTA’s, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a specialized field, which five-year projections show a significant shortfall of qualified assistants. With a proper set of checks and balances in place, ex-offenders are held accountable while being reviewed under a critical lens on a case-by-case basis.
Thank you for your valuable time,
Don Barr
6th Grade Teacher
Marquette Area Public Schools