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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Joshua Varner, Justice-Impacted Individual, on Reentry Financial Support
3:33:40
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144 sec
Joshua Varner, a formerly incarcerated individual, testifies in support of Resolution 371, which calls for state legislation to provide reentry assistance stipends. He shares his personal experience of the challenges faced upon release from prison, emphasizing the inadequacy of the $40 "gate money" he received and the importance of financial support for successful reentry.
- Varner describes how the lack of adequate financial support upon release led to immediate struggles with basic needs and could have pushed him back towards criminal thinking.
- He highlights the role of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) in providing some employment support, but notes that it wasn't enough to meet all his needs.
- Varner argues that providing proper financial support to returning citizens would help secure basic needs, reduce recidivism, and enhance public safety.
Joshua Varner
3:33:40
Good afternoon, chair nurse and members of the committee.
3:33:44
My name is Joshua Varner, and I'm justice impacted.
3:33:48
My interaction with the Department of Correctional and Community Supervision started in 02/2005 when I made a bad decision.
3:33:56
I had to pay my debt to society by serving three and a half years.
3:34:00
Upon release, I was given $40, which wasn't enough money for food, hygiene products, and train fare.
3:34:07
I felt lost.
3:34:08
I had no plan, no place to go, and no idea how I would survive the upcoming days.
3:34:13
I immediately started thinking with the same mindset that caused me to make the mistake in the first place.
3:34:19
However, if I have received financial support, I could have focused on rebuilding my life rather than just surviving.
3:34:26
I was sent to Ward's Island men's shelter and fortunately over time, made amends with the mother of my children and moved in with her.
3:34:34
At first, things were okay until the burden of another mouth defeat took its toll on her, placing me in a situation where a decision needed to be made.
3:34:42
I expressed lack of income to my parole officer, she gave me a referral to the Center for Employment Opportunities, also known as CEO, which is an organization that helps lighten the weight of some of the barriers justice impacted people face upon reentry by providing employment support.
3:34:59
I enrolled as CEO and started working at transitional job sites, And although the daily pay has helped, it wasn't enough considering my children's needs, household needs, and my personal needs.
3:35:12
While I am responsible for my actions, I know the path may have been different if I were given adequate financial support upon release.
3:35:21
The financial support that this bill provides will allow returning citizens to secure their basic needs like those I've mentioned above, such as transportation, job attire, food, and overall necessities.
3:35:34
In closing, to change the current system, New York must innovate beyond the outdated concept of gate money and create a legitimate reentry support program.
3:35:47
I asked this committee to pass the resolution to call on
Christopher Leon Johnson
3:35:51
the state
Joshua Varner
3:35:51
legislator to pass the reentry assistant bill.
3:35:56
By addressing income insecurity directly, we can diminish recidivism and enhance public safety.
3:36:02
Thank you for your time and consideration.