On Friday, May 25, Governor Ted Kulongoski signed an executive order creating a 19-member Re-Entry Council [1] to explore ways to safely reduce barriers for people returning home after being imprisoned. With top officials from a number of agencies, the council is charged with finding ways to help reduce recidivism [1].

Key to the efforts of the council will be an examination of housing issues, employment prospects, obtaining valid IDs, access to treatment and cognitive behavioral programs and a myriad of other barriers facing people as they re-enter their communities from prison.

The formation of such a task force was one of Partnership for Safety and Justice's top legislative priorities.