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Local Reentry Council seeks $20,000 from Beaufort County after low recidivism results
Summary
Quantum Community Solutions asked Beaufort County for $20,000 to fund a Local Reentry Council program that it said reduced recidivism to 10.9% among 64 Beaufort participants versus higher statewide figures; the presentation included a program services breakdown and an appeal to invest in housing, workforce training and mental-health linkages.
Watson Sutton, executive director of Quantum Community Solutions, told Beaufort County commissioners on May 20 that the New Direction Local Reentry Council produced measurable outcomes among Beaufort County participants and requested $20,000 to expand services.
Sutton said the organization previously managed a $225,000 grant in partnership with Agape Health Services and spent about $64,000 on 64 Beaufort County participants. He said those local participants experienced a 10.9% recidivism rate, which he contrasted with statewide figures presented during the talk (the presenter cited a 56% statewide re-arrest rate and a 48% statewide return-to-prison rate). Sutton described a cross-sector service model that connects returning residents to housing stabilization, transportation assistance, workforce training, education, and mental-health treatment.
Sutton outlined how the $20,000 county request would be allocated, including funds for participant transportation, housing support, childcare, employment and reentry materials. He argued that stabilizing participants after incarceration reduces downstream county costs for jail, emergency medical services and other public-safety demands while increasing workforce participation and tax base.
Sutton offered program success examples: participants completing CDL licensing and credentialing through Beaufort Community College and Martin Community College, and one participant purchasing a home using down-payment assistance. A Beaufort County program participant, identified in the presentation as Miss Fentress, was available to share a brief testimony but the board limited time per presenter.
Commissioners did not take action at the workshop; staff will include the request in the budget-refinement work on May 26 ahead of the June 1 public hearing.
