Senator Bill Coleman — On Wednesday, we examined problems facing offenders as they re-enter society, with the two biggest obstacles being securing housing and employment. For many, as some of our speakers attested to, getting out of prison and having to be independent and start their life over is more frightening than going into or being in prison. They don’t want to have to return to a life of crime, but it can be a difficult transition.

Fortunately, DOC wants to ensure that these individuals have the tools they need to successfully reenter society and not return to prison. We learned about the J.H. Lilley Correctional Center (JLCC) Resource Fair where numerous community partners come together to share what resources they offer to help individuals successfully re-enter society, from getting a job to finding mental health support.

We also heard about Tulsa’s 1st Step Male Diversion Program, which helps stop the school to prison pipeline in Oklahoma for young men by providing necessary survival skills and services, facilitating the need for career opportunities, and instilling positive behavior change for lifetime success. This program saved Oklahoma taxpayers $3.3 million from 2017–2020 and delivered a 92% success rate, relieving our overcrowded prisons, reducing recidivism, and changing lives for the better.