The National H.I.R.E. Network is pleased to announce the launch of the National Reentry Advocacy Project, which will advocate on the federal level to promote model policies to reduce employment and education barriers facing individuals with criminal histories. H.I.R.E. will train individuals directly affected and advocates that work in various aspects of reentry -- workforce development, criminal justice policy, treatment, education and other social services -- on how to participate and influence the federal legislative process.

Individuals and organizations with first-hand knowledge of the issues affecting people with criminal records should be involved in the federal legislative process, because they possess an intimate understanding of the issues. They must be equipped with the tools needed to shape important federal policies affecting people with criminal histories.

The National Blueprint for Reentry was developed by HIRE in consultation with many experts, advocates, and constituents from all over the country. The Blueprint is a comprehensive plan to improve employment and educational opportunities for people with criminal records. It offers recommendations for policy reforms that the President and Congress should adopt to reinforce our nation's commitment to giving people a second chance, restoring families and communities, and decreasing recidivism rates, all of which can be accomplished by increasing employment and higher education opportunities in prisons and communities for people with criminal histories.

We thank the Joyce Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors for its support and the representatives of several stakeholderorganizationswho took the time to participate inour National Reentry Consortium meeting held on April 9, 2008 in Washington DC. Click here for a list of contributing organizations.

Please don't sit on your copy of the Blueprint. Take it to your federal, state,and local representatives to educate them about the need for policy reform to support the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals and to support those individuals with criminal histories who are committed to remaining crime free.

Do you want to know what you can do to help?

We will be compiling a comprehensive list of stakeholders who endorse these recommendations. We have over 5000 members in the Network and would like to hear from each of you. What a powerful message it will send to Congress and the new Administration when we provide a long list of supporters of these recommendations who come from every region of the country. If you want to participate and show your support please send an email to rampeeples@lac.org stating that you want to be listed as an individual supporter and the city and state you live in. Please make sure the subject line of your email states "Reentry Blueprint Support".