This year, for the first time, the U.S. Department of Justice is recognizing National Reentry Week the week of April 24-30. More than 600,000 men and women leave U.S. prisons every year , and more than 11 million people cycle through our nation's jails, hence the high demand for effective reentry services.

During National Reentry Week, U.S. Attorneys' Offices will lead reentry-related efforts in their districts and the Bureau of Prisons will coordinate events at its 122 facilities.

National Reentry Week is a time for all Americans to learn about ex-offender reentry, reflect on the cost of incarceration to our society, promote the reduction of recidivism, and improve the lives of individuals returning to the community.

Throughout the week of April 24-30, Palm Beach County staff and reentry advocates will participate in various planned events to promote awareness and highlight the need for collaboration in the efforts of ensuring a safer community.

Reentry is a unit of the Palm Beach County Public Safety Department's Justice Services Division. The reentry initiative is a collaborative effort of the Palm Beach County Reentry Task Force, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Inc., The Lord's Place, the Riviera Beach Justice Service Center, and Choice to Change, to invest in returning individuals to the community.

As a result of the important work of the community partners, recidivism rates in Palm Beach County have been cut in half over the past five years, and the county is recognized as a national leader in reentry services. For more information, please contact Craig Spatara, Criminal Justice Programs Manager at 355-2326.