The Gainesville Sun Editorial Board
People who have been incarcerated face challenges to reentering society. Having a criminal record can be a barrier to employment, housing and general acceptance. Difficulties in getting a job and having stability only make recidivism more likely.
“What ends up happening is that every sentence becomes a life sentence,” said Lindsay Kallman, executive director of the Gainesville nonprofit Community Spring.
Community Spring hires people who are experiencing poverty as “fellows” who develop ways to address factors contributing to poverty in their communities. Its 2020-2021 class of fellows has focused on helping former prisoners after their release.
A pilot program in Gainesville that would be among the first of its kind in the country would pay people who were previously incarcerated a guaranteed monthly income for up to two years to help them get back on their feet.
Mayor Lauren Poe said Monday said that the exact dollar amount is not yet determined but there have been discussions about a payment in the $600-a-month range.
Poe said he hopes the city can start the program by Oct. 1.
The recurring monthly income payment amount and number of people served will depend upon how the program is designed and the overall dollars there are to work with over two years, he said.