The Globe got it right in its editorial about the federal First Step Act (“Important ‘First Step’ for criminal justice reform,” Dec. 19). Massachusetts should fully fund community-based residential reentry programs to reduce recidivism.

The Commonwealth took a great first step of its own this past year in establishing a new line item for residential reentry programs. Lawmakers must continue moving forward with another $5 million to $10 million investment in the fiscal 2020 budget. Without this critical funding, effective reentry services will not be available to those inmates who’ve otherwise earned an earlier release because of good behavior and program participation. Not only will they serve more prison time, they and we will also lose the benefits of reduced recidivism provided by these programs.