The Re-Entry Policy Council (RPC), noting that two-thirds of released prisoners swiftly end up back in custody, gave hundreds of recommendations for addressing the problem. "Nearly 650,000 people will be released from prison this year, and 7 million will be released from jails. Every policymaker should be concerned about the public safety and fiscal implications of these extraordinary numbers," said Timothy Ryan, chief of the Orange County, Florida Corrections Department, and past president of the American Jail Association.

The bipartisan RPC, which included more than 100 state and federal law-enforcement, corrections, health, and social-service experts, noted that at least three of every four released offenders have a history of alcohol or other drug abuse and need treatment. Many also lack even a high-school education, have mental or physical disabilities, and are faced with child-support payments and low incomes when they get out of jail or prison.

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