Policy Matters

June 2025

This year’s D.C. budget season is already off to an unusual and troubling start. The Mayor submitted her proposed budget late, compressing the timeline for Council oversight and community response. But even in its early stages, one thing is clear: it’s shaping up to be a challenging year for D.C.’s returning citizens.

TheĀ Mayor’sĀ budget proposes to dismantle the Office of Returning Citizen Affairs (ORCA), the nation’s first legislatively mandated returning citizen’s office, rolling it into the Executive Office of the Mayor while cutting its funding by nearly 36%. ORCA was established to be an independent, public-facing agency dedicated to supporting returning citizens. It was designed as an office with both a distinct mission and accountability to the community it serves. Merging it into the Mayor’s Office strips away that independence and threatens the tailored services and trust that ORCA has worked to build.

Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections (DOC) faces deep capital budget cuts of over 55%, effectively defunding the long-overdue replacement of the Central Detention Facility. This aging, crumbling jail has been the site of persistent maintenance failures, health hazards, and tragic outcomes. Backing away fromĀ the current plan to replace itĀ represents more than a broken promise. It’s a step backward for public health and safety.

However, there are a few rays of sunshine visible through the clouds.

Despite broader cuts to the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG), funding for reentry grantsĀ sawĀ a modest increase. These grants are the backbone of services provided by organizations like ours, supporting job readiness programs, peer mentorship, transportation assistance, and case management. While the increase may be small, it’s a lifeline in a time of growing need.

Even more encouraging: the Committee on Housing took a strong stand by voting to preserve ORCA’s independence and restore its FY25 funding levels. That’s a critical first step, but the fight isn’t over. The full Council must still vote to adopt the Committee’s recommendations. Until then, the future of ORCA and the District’s commitment to reentry remains uncertain.

In times of economic strain, returning citizens too often fall to the bottom of the priority list, despite being among the most vulnerable to those very conditions. Their voices and the voices of those who love and support them must be part of the budget conversation. Now more than ever, we need to speak up about the importance of reentry investments and demand a budget that reflects the values of justice, safety, and opportunity for all.

Because a truly safe and thriving city doesn’t forget those coming home. It welcomes them.

March 2025

OVER THE WEEKEND, A MAJOR POLICY VICTORY THAT THE NATIONAL REENTRY NETWORK FOR RETURNING CITIZENS HELPED CHAMPION WENT INTO EFFECT-THE SECOND CHANCE AMENDMENT ACT OF 2022. THIS LAW SIMPLIFIES AND EXPANDS RECORD SEALING IN DC, REMOVING BARRIERS TO HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION FOR JUSTICE-IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS.

WHILE THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD, OUR WORK ISN’T DONE. LONG WAITING PERIODS AND UNNECESSARY EXCLUSIONS LIMIT THE LAW’S FULL POTENTIAL. IF SEALING RECORDS HELPS REDUCE RECIDIVISM (WHICH IT DOES), WHY NOT APPLY IT MORE BROADLY-EVEN FOR SERIOUS OFFENSES? SHOULDN’T WE BE MOST FOCUSED ON REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF THOSE CRIMES HAPPENING AGAIN? IF THIS TOOL WORKS, WE SHOULD USE IT WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.

LET’S CELEBRATE THIS WIN, BUT ALSO PUSH FOR FURTHER CHANGE. SPREAD THE WORD! IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE RECORD, VISIT DCJUSTICELAB. ORG/DC-EXPUNGEMENT TO LEARN MORE.

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