U.S. Virgin Islands — V.I. Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea joined a coalition of 35 other Attorneys General in urging Congress to pass into law H.R. 1633 — the Workforce Reentry Act — which will equip individuals released from prison with resources and skills to successfully reintegrate into society.
The legislation would increase public safety by reducing recidivism rates, while cutting taxpayer burdens related to incarceration costs, and empowering paroled individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
H.R. 1633 would make permanent grant funding opportunities for resources and programming, while ensuring efficient use of those funds by attaching new requirements to the grants.
Drafting of the letter was led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, District of Columbia Attorney General David Schwalb, and Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, and has bipartisan participation.
“Supporting individuals as they return to our communities isn’t just the right thing to do — it makes every one of us safer, said Attorney General Rhea. “The Workforce Reentry Act provides the stable funding and proven programs needed to reduce recidivism, lower taxpayer costs, and give people the tools to rebuild their lives. When we invest in opportunity, we strengthen families, communities, and our shared future.”
“Successful reentry benefits everyone, so we need to do all we can to provide people leaving incarceration the tools they need to land on their feet and be contributors for their families and communities,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “We are asking Congress to recognize the essential resources and services made available to reentrants under the Workforce Reentry Act. Employment provides a person with an identity; a sense of self-worth and pride that positively impacts everything they do.”
According to federal data, the national recidivism rate is around 68 percent for individuals within three years of completion of incarceration. That number soars to 83 percent over nine years.
Recidivism not only potentially endangers every person, family, and community when a new crime is committed, it also results in tremendous taxpayer costs associated with arrest, prosecution, and incarceration.
Recidivism, however, is not inevitable. Research shows the impetus for recidivism is lack of opportunities and skills for those leaving prison — including employment opportunities.
Currently, funding for programs that bolster those skills and opportunities is in flux and oftentimes not available at all. The Workforce Reentry Act would make permanent grant funding streams to stabilize resources related to successful reentry.
Communities that have embraced reentry programs have seen significant decreases in recidivism rates and prison populations.
In addition to AG Rhea joining Pennsylvania, New Jersey, District of Columbia, and Utah in signing the letter are Attorneys General from: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Island, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The full letter is attached here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2025
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340) 774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov