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Contact:
Bilen Mesfin, DA Harris’ Office, 553-1226
Debbie Mesloh, DA Harris’ Office, 553-1596

District Attorney Harris Hosts "Back on Track" Graduation 

San Francisco, (CA) – District Attorney Kamala D. Harris is hosting the second graduation for participants in Back on Track, a reentry program aimed at protecting communities and saving public resources by channeling former offenders away from crime and into productive lives. The graduation is being held today, July 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Jury Assembly Room, Room 007, Civic Center Courthouse, 400 McAllister.

"Recidivisim is a dangerous and expensive cycle," said DA Harris. "To address it, we must resolve that, while we stand tough on crime, we will also be smart on crime. For some offenders that may mean longer prison sentences. For nonviolent offenders, being smart means ensuring that they transition to law abiding citizens. Through Back on Track, my Office is working to break the cycle of recidivism, making all of us safer."

In 2005, DA Harris led the creation of a citywide Reentry Council, a coalition of leaders from law enforcement, city government, the business sector, labor, education, health services, and the faith community who are marshalling their resources to create innovative approaches to reentry. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, DA Harris also started Back on Track, a comprehensive public/private partnership intended to show that early intervention with first-time, low-level drug offenders can help them permanently exit the criminal justice system.

Back on Track has lowered recidivism rates among the participating drug offenders to less than 10 percent as compared to statewide recidivism rates of more than 50 percent among the same population. All of the nearly 100 current participants are employed and/or in school, and 90 percent of participants with child support obligations are in good standing and making their required payments. Defendants are not eligible if they have histories of gang involvement, gun possession or violence.

Today, 11 Back on Track participants graduated from the program after embracing a range of life changing responsibilities, including concrete job training and placement, union-based pre-apprenticeships in the building trades, G.E.D. preparation, college enrollment and help navigating financial aid, tutoring, money management and banking instruction, child care, anger management and parenting support. The 11 graduates have secured employment at various organizations—such as UPS, AT&T, and Walgreens—have obtained their high school diplomas and are pursuing higher and vocational education.

"I realized that if there was no program, I would be in jail watching my life pass me by," said a 23 year-old graduate. She completed her community service hours Goodwill Industries, was a store manager for Goodwill and is now employed by UPS. "I started getting my act together, started taking care of responsibilities, and setting goals. To all the Back on Track members, think of it as a chance to change the path you have chosen. Only you can make that decision."

District Attorney Harris noted that in addition to enhancing public safety and changing lives, the reentry program is saving public resources. With annual County Jail costs exceeding $35,000 per inmate, every dollar invested in Back on Track saves San Francisco five dollars in jail costs alone.

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