rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/capacity-not-closures-doc-reentry-centers-provide-second-chances?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-capacity-not-closures-doc-reentry-centers-provide-second-chances' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) https://actionnetwork.org/groups/washington-federation-of-state-employees-wfse https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/371/106/normal/Untitled_design.jpg At Department of Corrections’ Reentry Centers, WFSE members help incarcerated individuals make the jump from life in prison to lives in our communities. They give people a second chance, and a real shot at a successful life after incarceration. Two DOC Reentry Centers, Bellingham and Ahtanum View (Yakima), are slated to close in Gov. Inslee’s proposed 2025 operating budget. The proposed closures will: Negatively impact those who are in most need of these services Result in increased recidivism (a 2007 study showed Washington’s reentry centers lead to at least a 2.8% reduction in recidivism). Cost the state more money. Research conducted by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy indicates that reentry programs have a positive cost/benefit impact; for every dollar spent, $3.82 is returned to the state. Threaten the capacity of our community custody system when the need for more capacity is rising. Sever established community connections for residents We’re calling on fellow WFSE members, folks who care about public safety, and those who believe in rehabilitation to protest these closures by sending a letter to their elected officials to remove these closures from the budget. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/capacity-not-closures-doc-reentry-centers-provide-second-chances