Mark Baker

Guest Columnist

One of my top priorities as an elected official is to ensure the safety of Mississippians. My experiences as a former prosecutor and judge have shown me how important it is to be tough on crime. But with 600,000 inmates being released from state and federal prisons each year, we need more than strict sentences to ensure successful reentry. We also need to help ex-offenders reintegrate into their families and communities. To be sure, these are people being released after serving their time. They have paid their debt and are being released with the hope and the promise of a fresh start.

Research shows that, nationwide, more than 60 percent of those leaving prison remain unemployed a year after their release. Employment is one of the key indicators of how likely someone is to reoffend. Without work — without a real fresh start — those leaving incarceration often find their way onto taxpayer-funded welfare rolls, or worse, back into a life of crime. The bottom line is this: we can’t afford for our criminal justice system to be a revolving door. Being tough on crime must also mean being strong on work.

That’s why I’ve introduced legislation in the Mississippi House of Representatives that lifts barriers to work for individuals leaving prison. My bill, HB 1284, will help those who are ready and willing to lead productive lives that contribute to our Mississippi economy. The bill enjoys bipartisan support and is endorsed by Gov. Phil Bryant’s Faith Based Advisory Council. HB 1284 requires state licensing boards to be specific about which relevant criminal convictions will lead to a denial of licensure. It also creates a petition process that allows ex-offenders to determine if they can obtain a license before they go through the time and expense of training and testing. The bill strikes the right balance between ensuring public safety and promoting vibrant communities by helping more individuals find employment and avoid government dependency. It will help ex-offenders do more than just get a minimum wage job by opening the door to higher paying professions. It is also based on solid research that shows that states with heavier occupational licensing restrictions have higher recidivism rates.

A successful reentry into the workforce has countless benefits for those leaving prison, but the benefits for the general public are numerous as well. As of 2012, inmate costs at the Mississippi State Penitentiary alone totaled more than $165,000 a day. Nationwide, we spend $80 billion a year on incarceration costs. Expanding opportunities for ex-offenders to work and create a new life for themselves preserves taxpayer dollars both by reducing the rate of recidivism but also by keeping individuals off of welfare — not to mention the increases in state revenue from having more people join the workforce. Resources will be preserved for the truly needy, and state funds will be available for other priorities, including public safety, education, and infrastructure.

The reality is there are about 21,000 inmates in Mississippi’s correctional facilities right now. Once these individuals have served their sentences, those who are eligible will leave prison and reenter our Mississippi communities. We want them to be ready, willing, and able to be successful in their lives after prison — and that begins with a fresh start through work.

More:Mississippi needs common sense prison reforms

More:Is Mississippi criminal justice reform ahead? Experts tell lawmakers what's needed

State Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, is an attorney and is serving in his 4th term in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He has announced his candidacy for the Office ofAttorney General. He can be reached at Mark@MarkBakerForMS.com.