Tele-Talk: What can be done to help criminal offenders stay out of jail and become productive citizens?

Recidivism — criminal offenders returning to jail repeatedly — is a problem that communities across the country are trying to tackle. Carroll County, in conjunction with the National Institute of Corrections, is joining that effort with the formation of a Transition from Jail to Community program. A committee chaired by the county commissioners is looking for ways to reduce recidivism and will be meeting with chambers of commerce and business leaders to try to get the business community on board by developing job opportunities for inmates after they get released. Janice Crawford, executive director of the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, has been invited to participate. Crawford says reducing recidivism by providing education and job opportunities is a "good idea," and she is willing to serve as a conduit between the committee and the business community. Consultants who met with commissioners recently say one of the keys is engaging local leaders who are willing to look at improving the criminal justice system. They also say that treatments offered at the jail need to be continued following release.

This week's question is: What can be done to help criminal offenders stay out of jail and become productive citizens?