Issues
Drug Recovery Treatment for Prisoners and Ex-Offenders
After viewing local and national recidivism rates, I was concerned that inmates addicted to drugs and convicted for drug-related crimes were not receiving effective treatment, therefore more likely to re-commit crimes after their release from prison.
National data suggests that approximately two-thirds of ex-offenders will be rearrested within three years, with 40 percent being rearrested within the first 12 months after release from prison. To break this vicious cycle, drug treatment during incarceration is a critical component for successful reintegration into society.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) undertook an evaluation of its residential drug abuse treatment program by assessing the post-release outcomes of inmates who had been released from FBOP custody in 2001.
The evaluation revealed that offenders who had completed the drug abuse treatment program and had been released to the community for three years were less likely to be re-arrested or to test positive for drugs than similar inmates who had not participated in the program.
In 2004, we won a major victory with passage of Senate Bill 217, which established intermediate punishment guidelines allowing eligible offenders to undergo drug rehabilitation and other alternative treatment options.
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Witness Protection
Like most Philadelphia citizens, I have been horrified by the recent surge in gun violence in our city. Even as the homicide rates have risen, an epidemic of silence has stricken witness after witness. For those who have seen their loved ones harmed or killed, silence perhaps seems like safety. For those who perceive inequities in our criminal justice system, silence perhaps seems like loyalty. However, I believe silence is neither safety, nor loyalty.
Senate Bill 1126, a piece of legislation that I introduced in March 2006, would toughen penalties for those convicted of witness intimidation.
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Increasing Homeownership
A home of one’s own is an essential part of the American dream. As the Chairwoman for the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing, I have worked to help families achieve their dream of homeownership. Over the past couple of years, I have sponsored, along with PNC Bank, Wachovia, and just recently, the Allegheny West Foundation, a number of first-time homeowners seminars.
“The housing trust fund will pay dividends for all of Philadelphia in years to come, helping to transform our city block by block, brick by brick.” – Sen. Kitchen
Homeowners and first-time homebuyers face many options and challenges, and they can often benefit from the sound advice of experts. Purchasing a home can be a confusing and frustrating ordeal. With these seminars, we hope to provide some sound financial advice for those looking to buy, re-finance, or apply for a home loan.
The city of Philadelphia has been working hard to help every one of its citizens achieve this dream, but state law has hampered these efforts in the past. Under prior state law, Philadelphia was prohibited from establishing a housing trust fund to help provide affordable housing to our residents. I introduced Senate Bill 684 in early 2005 to rectify this situation. (A companion bill, House Bill 139, was introduced in the House.)
On July 14, 2005, Gov. Rendell signed the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act into law, allowing Philadelphia to establish its first housing trust fund. The city has increased certain fees (one-time charges that are associated with purchasing a home), and these funds are expected to generate up to $15 million each year.
Non-profit community groups will use this money to build housing for low- and moderate-income Philadelphians, and the city will also provide grants for home repair and housing emergencies.
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Boosting Pennsylvania Library Funding
Libraries are an important part of our Commonwealth’s education structure, however, libraries have not been getting their fair share from the state. Our libraries have been forced to lay off staff, cut benefits, and reduce hours of operation. Some have increased usage fees and fines…and on top of all this, many libraries have stopped purchasing new books and technology resources altogether.
Gov. Rendell’s 2006-2007 state budget proposal would provide a $14.1 million increase in state funding for our public libraries. This increase would raise the state public library subsidy to $75.5 million – the highest amount ever.
As the legislature works on this year’s budget, I will work with my colleagues to restore funding for our public libraries.
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Violence and Suicide Prevention
Did you know suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 10-19?
Did you know violence is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 15-19, and the fourth leading cause of death for youth ages 5-14?
The rising number of youth committing suicide is a growing problem in Philadelphia, which is why I decided to sponsor a pilot project to help Philadelphia youth combat depression and suicide.
Youth With Voices, funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, is a collaborative partnership between the Temple University Center for Social Policy and Community Development (CSPCD) and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (GPAFSP). U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is a co-sponsor of this initiative.
“When you can’t afford a checkup, when many healthcare providers still refuse to cover the cost of a mental health screening, and when the costs of life-saving prescription drugs are out of reach – what can you do? What hope do you have of ever getting well? That’s why Youth With Voices is so important to our city. We finally have a comprehensive program to help families struggling with mental health problems.” – Sen. Kitchen commenting on Youth With Voices
The purpose of Youth With Voices is to provide community and school-based mental health and suicide prevention services to the city’s minority youth, as well as to raise public awareness of suicide and related mental health disabilities.
In North Philadelphia, the suicide rate for young African American males is rising. Even though whites and minority groups are at the same level of risk for developing mental disorders, minorities are more likely to attempt suicide.
The pilot program has been implemented at the following schools:
- Kenderton Elementary School
- John B. Kelly Elementary School
- Ferguson Middle School
- William Penn High School
- Daniel Boone Disciplinary School
Project partners include the following community groups:
- Wissahickon Boys and Girls Club
- Helping Energize and Rebuild Ourselves (HERO)
- City Wide Youth Agency
- North Philadelphia Human Services Development Corporation
- Boone Student Support Center
For more information about the Youth with Voices Program, call 215-204-7491.
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