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September 07, 2005
US Conference of Mayors Adopts Resolution calling for Counting Prisoners Where they are Sentenced
2005 ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS
URBAN ECONOMY POLICY, US Conference of Mayors
BRINGING FAIRNESS AND RELEVANCE TO CENSUS BUREAU COUNTS OF INCARCERATED AMERICANS
WHEREAS, Federal funds are appropriated most fairly when apportioned according to citizen residences; and
WHEREAS, people under correctional commitments to prisons are residing in those facilities only for time limited sentences and 95% will return to their home communities upon release; and
WHEREAS, the families of inmates remain in residence in the home community of the inmate and oftentimes require support and assistance in that community; and
WHEREAS, the Census Bureau currently counts residency of prison inmates based on the location of the inmate’s prison; and
WHEREAS, federal funding, when appropriated to state and local areas based on population, follows the inmate to the prison community’s location; and
WHEREAS, this formula draws a disproportionate amount of funding to prison community locations, while restricting the amount of funds that go to the actual home communities of the inmates; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the Administration are structuring a significant effort to assist in the safe and successful return of inmates leaving prison; and
WHEREAS, it is absolutely essential that funding be available to operate reentry programs in the home communities of people returning from prison,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges Congress to bring fairness and relevancy to the appropriation of federal funds by adopting the necessary legislation to require the Census Bureau to count inmates based on the community that they reside in at the time of sentencing and not on the location of the inmate’s prison.
©2005 The U.S. Conference of Mayors
Tom Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Tel. 202.293.7330 ~ Fax 202.293.2352
info@usmayors.org
Posted by lois at September 7, 2005 11:03 PM