Snapshot: Federal Benefits

Each year, about 640,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons and millions cycle through local jails. When reentry fails, the costs—both societal and economic—are high. High rates of recidivism mean more crime, more victims, and more pressure on an already overburdened criminal justice system. A primary focus of the Reentry Council is to remove federal barriers to successful reentry and support the smooth transition of persons reentering their community through cross-agency coordination and appropriate access to critical federal benefits, which fosters successful reintegration outcomes, reduces recidivism, and assures the continuity of care. The ability to access benefits for people who are eligible is most important immediately upon an individual’s release, to help stabilize the critical time after incarceration when they are most at risk of relapse and reoffending.

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