Congressman Cleaver Introduces Bill to Provide Free Public Transportation to Individuals Recently Released from Prison

July 19, 2023
Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) continued his legislative effort to reduce recidivism by introducing a bill to provide free public transportation for up to one year to recently released individuals. The Transportation for Reentry Act would enact a reentry service program that provides an additional $40 million to the Federal Public Transportation Program to provide transportation services to recently released individuals, ensuring they can access the community resources and services necessary to facilitate successful reintegration into society.

“Consistent access to transportation, particularly public transportation, is essential for individuals recently released from incarceration and seeking to reintegrate into their community successfully,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Whether it is helping folks commute to a quality job, secure affordable housing, comply with release conditions, or access other critical community services, the Transportation for Reentry Act will give formerly incarcerated individuals greater stability as they seek to stand independently.”

“Many people returning home don’t have access to a car and are faced with immediate transit costs before they can even begin to earn an income. I would know as I experienced this when I came home 11 years ago,” said Carmen Garcia, Executive Director of Root & Rebound. “The Transportation for Reentry Act recognizes this struggle and provides free access to transportation that is absolutely necessary to reentry success. Root & Rebound is proud to support this important piece of legislation and thank Congressman Cleaver for sponsoring it.”

“As a leading advocate for restoring the human dignity of currently and formerly incarcerated people, I want to thank U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II for introducing the Transportation for Reentry Act. It represents a significant stride forward in addressing formerly incarcerated people’s critical challenges as they strive to rebuild their lives after incarceration. Promoting free transportation to formerly incarcerated people, the Transportation for Reentry Act will revolutionize how individuals travel to find employment, education, and housing while sustaining public safety. It will also ensure that all citizens, regardless of their inability to pay, can enjoy freedom of movement and access to opportunities,” said Norris Henderson, Founder and Executive Director, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE).

Approximately610,000 individuals are released from federal and state prisons each year. Upon release, these individuals must have access to reliable, affordable, and adequate transportation, which helps to ensure they can maintain gainful employment, comply with their release conditions, attend appointments, obtain affordable housing, and access other community resources necessary for successful reentry. Unfortunately, many individuals cannot afford to own their vehicle or regularly use public transportation, undermining the stability needed to avoid food insecurity, homelessness, or re-incarceration. 

To address this challenge, the Transportation for Reentry Act will :

  • Increase funding for the Federal Public Transportation Program by $40 million in Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026 to provide the necessary funding to carry out the public transportation reentry service;
  • Maintain eligibility requirements for receiving financial assistance under 49 USC 5307 or 5311 to carry out the transportation service;
  • Delegate public transit authorities with the power to create localized systems for helping returning citizens enroll in the program; instruct transportation staff on the operation of reentry service; track and maintain records of service usage and the number of individuals registered; and submit data to the National Transit Database;
  • Task the Department of Transportation with reimbursing participating transit authorities for direct and indirect costs; coordinating with local transit authorities to provide technical assistance where applicable; marketing the service to ensure that incarcerated and returning populations are aware of the service; and summarizing the data that local transit authorities report in a report to Congress.
  • Direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to evaluate the program when it concludes, detailing the implementation, effectiveness, and improvements that can be made to the program.

Congressman Cleaver has introduced several bills aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting incarcerated individuals in recent months, including:

The Transportation for Reentry Act is endorsed by the Vera Institute of Justice, Prison Policy Initiative, Root and Rebound, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), Formerly Incarcerated, Convicted People and Families Movement, and Forward Justice.

The Transportation for Reentry Act is cosponsored by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD).

Official text of the Transportation for Reentry Act is available here.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.