KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Criminal offenders who have paid their debt to society often find it difficult to pay their bills once they get out, which can result in a return to crime.
An effort to break that cycle has been reinvigorated in Kalamazoo because it just makes financial sense, reduces the crime rate and everyone is better off.
Monday night Kalamazoo Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the Prisoner Reentry Coalition.
Pastor James Cunningham says they are following a model that has worked elsewhere to assist returning inmates back into society. Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley says it would reduce the crime rate. He is also a member of the coalition.
Mayor Bobby Hopewell says there is a growing number of lawmakers in Lansing who are also seeing the value of programs like this and he is hoping for help from them too.
