D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1118
1118.1 Washington DC’s criminal justice system is a hybrid of local and federal control. The District’s felons are housed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, except in some instances during the last months of their sentences, where they may be stepped down to DOC custody or halfway houses. Annually, approximately 7,600 individuals return to the community after release from DOC facilities, while an additional 2,400 return from federal facilities.
1118.2 Transitional and permanent supportive housing is needed for successful reentry. In many cases it must be suitable to provide not only for the returning citizen but also for the needs of children or elderly dependents they support. Without such housing, many individuals return to the cycle of activities that resulted in incarceration.
1118.2a Text box: Reentry Portal In 2018 Washington, DC began piloting a ReEntry Portal, which integrates access to transition support services for reentry, including critical connections to parole and supervision, health and behavioral health services, education and employment readiness programs, social services, benefits enrollment, identification cards, and transitional housing.
1118.3 Formerly incarcerated individuals need to be connected to their children, but they can face challenges to do so, including the need to travel to services and mandated appointments. Returning parents often have difficulties supporting themselves and cannot afford adequate child care. Provision of affordable child care within their home communities would have a positive impact on returning individuals and their families. This service could also have a preventive effect for at-risk individuals in the same communities.
1118.4 Access to appropriate education and employment, essential for full and productive participation in community life, is challenging for many returning citizens. Without the necessary means to support themselves and their families, they may not be able to support successful reentry and community reintegration. Education and employment readiness and support are vital for the success of these individuals and for supporting safe and strong neighborhoods and communities.
Ensure that supportive service needs for formerly incarcerated individuals are identified and gaps addressed on an ongoing basis, including for transitional and permanent housing, health care and behavioral health, child care, educational and skills training, and employment.
See also Housing and Economic Development Elements for related policies.
The needs of families and children of those incarcerated should be assessed and corresponding supportive services should be provided.
Work to create an inventory of housing needs for returning citizens and provide appropriate transitional, supportive, and permanent housing opportunities; provide adequate child supportive services; assess the education and training needs for these individuals; and create a plan to enhance pathways to employment opportunities.
See also the Housing Element for related policies on housing needs for returning citizens.
Enhance and expand the ReEntry Portal based on analysis of its functionality.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).