Advocacy at the Capitol
Last month, our TRI team headed to the state capitol to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On the docket was the potential cutting of funding to reentry programs across the state. Our friends at the Latino Coalition and CCJRC organized a riveting slate of speakers whose lives have been positively effected by the WAGEES* program.
TRI’s Peer Mentor, Dom, spoke about her experience needing - and not receiving - mental health care while incarcerated. She was stuck in the revolving doors of prison until she was able to unpack her past trauma to begin to live a fulfilling life.
As of now, the advocacy worked. The bill will be reintroduced for a vote by the full senate later this year.
BUT, GET THIS - while community organizations are urging our legislators to continue reentry support, the Department of Corrections just got funded for over a billion dollars - the largest budget to date - to add 400+ beds to facilities.
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*WAGEES - ‘Work and Gain Education Employment Skills’ - is fully funded by HB14-1355, SB18-1776 and HB18-1176 through the Colorado Department of Corrections. TRI receives $211,600 to support the Welcome Back Center.
