R 079

2021 -- H 6063 Enacted 03/02/2021

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMS MARCH 2, 2021 AS A "DAY OF EMPATHY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Williams, Potter, Baginski, Tanzi, Barros, Diaz,

Date Introduced: March 02, 2021

WHEREAS, The Day of Empathy is a national day of action organized in various states

"to generate empathy, humanize, and uplift the stories of those who have been impacted by the

criminal justice system"; and

WHEREAS, The vast majority of the more than 1,800 people currently serving sentences

in Rhode Island's prisons and jails will transition into communities throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, These formerly incarcerated individuals will become part of a population of

more than 70,000 Rhode Islanders who have a past felony record; and

WHEREAS, Helping people with criminal records become productive members of

society benefits their families and communities in many ways, including improving safety and

preventing and reducing crime; and

WHEREAS, Formerly incarcerated individuals face numerous challenges that include

finding work, housing, health care, and transportation, and these challenges may lead to

recidivism, health, social, and security concerns; and

WHEREAS, Federal, state, and local leaders have worked to establish a policy that

supports individuals who return to their communities after serving time in prison, jail, or under

custodial supervision; and

WHEREAS, Dream Corps JUSTICE has developed plans and policies to facilitate a

better transition for people from incarceration or community supervision back into society by

coordinating existing resources, identifying resource gaps, and advocating on behalf of

individuals with criminal records; and

WHEREAS, The National Day of Empathy includes representation from government,

education, faith- and community-based organizations, and those formerly incarcerated, and is

studying the needs of individuals who have been released from correctional institutions and

working to increase the effectiveness of local reentry councils and smart criminal justice policies

and/or practices; and

WHEREAS, The National Day of Empathy serves to connect justice-involved individuals

with resources and services important to successful reentry, and decrease stigma by raising public

awareness of the issues and challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter

the community; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims March 2, 2021, as a “Day of Empathy” and urges its observance to all citizens; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Formerly Incarcerated Union of Rhode

Island.

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LC002336

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