“The number of felons walking back through Illinois prison doors for another stay dropped to an alltime low since 2004,” thanks to statewide reforms. Lower recidivism translated into $64 million in prison costs savings for taxpayers as convictions among parolees were reduced by 18 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“To keep the numbers on a steady decline, the governor tapped faith-based leaders to execute recommendations from the governor’s four-pronged program to help keep recidivism low. In collaboration with the Illinois Dept. of Human Services and others, Rev. Bryon Brazier will work with community- based groups to help ex-felons get job training.” (The Chicago Defender has the story)