In 1996, the Bureau of Prisons created the Release Preparation Program (RPP) to reduce the cycle of recidivism. Under the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) operates with the mission to “provide productive work, education, occupational training, and recreational activities which prepare inmates for employment opportunities and a successful reintegration upon release.”

Though this program has all the right rehabilitative aspects, it lacks thorough implementation and analysis. According to an audit report by the Office of the Inspector General, the RPP “does not have a standardized process in place among its regions for reviewing program participation at each of its institutions to ensure that institutions maximize program participation.” The RPP is not equally implemented among federal prisons and therefore does not give every inmate equal opportunity to qualify for and enroll in this program. In addition, the BOP does not track inmates that complete the program prior to release, nor does it track whether RPP participates reoffend once released.

Sign this petition and tell the Bureau of Prisons to amend the Release Preparation Program to increase accountability and improve standardization across all prisons.

It has been proven that “employment after release is 28 percent higher for those who participate. In addition, for every dollar spent on education, $4-5 of taxpayers’ money is saved in vocational programs” while in custody. The more time a prisoner stays in prison, the more likely they are to fall into the cycle of recidivism. Amend this act and save money, save a life from prison, and save your community.

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