Teri Castillo’s goal is to reduce the chance of anyone, formerly incarcerated from re-entering the system.
SAN ANTONIO — One San Antonio City councilmember wants to give a people in the criminal justice system a chance to re-start their life.
Councilwoman Teri Castillo submitted a proposal this week to create a program to help former convicts get into the workforce.
Castillo says looking at the numbers, Bexar County has a high rate of people involved in the justice system.
According to Chrysalis Ministries, Bexar County has a 60% justice impacted rate and District 5 under Castillo is one of the largest groups involved.
The conviction and incarceration rate in Texas is higher than the national average, so with this proposal, Castillo’s goal is to reduce the chance of anyone, formerly incarcerated from re-entering the system.
Right now, anyone with a felony cannot vote, get food stamps, and they face challenges getting a job and sometimes housing.
“It has been proven that having these basic needs met limits recidivism,” said Castillo. “When people have access to meaningful jobs, stable housing, and the ability to provide for their families, out entire community benefits.”
Now that the CCR has been filed, it will be up to the rest of the council to approve it for San Antonio and Bexar county to create a second chance workforce program.