Rules Committee selects Robert Bowden as recommendation for Reentry Council seat after hearing many applicants

The Rules Committee considered applicants for seat 4 on the San Francisco Reentry Council, a body charged with coordinating services for adults returning from jail and prison. Jessica Flintoff, Reentry Division director, outlined the council’s membership rules, emphasizing that several seats are reserved for formerly incarcerated individuals and that appointees bring direct experience plus professional or volunteer qualifications.

Multiple candidates spoke about their work: Brad Rees (manages in-custody reentry planning and volunteer programs), Dennis Kinkle (emphasized his lived experience and current employment), Michael Santos (25 years incarcerated, now running successful reentry programming and teaching at San Francisco State), Robert Bowden (founder of Homeboy Hotline with a history of placing formerly incarcerated people into jobs and training), Stefan/Stefan Fuse (reentry program manager/attorney background), and others. Supervisors discussed the demographic composition of the council and representation gaps (race, gender, age) in light of post-realignment challenges.

Supervisor Breed moved to forward Robert Bowden’s nomination to the full Board with a recommendation, and Chair Yee seconded. A roll-call vote followed: Supervisor Brie voted Aye, Supervisor Cohen No, and Supervisor Yee Aye; the committee will forward Bowden’s name to the Board for final appointment.