Ginny Burton Walks Across Washington to Fund Prison Rehabilitation Program

Former inmate and prison reform advocate Ginny Burton has begun a 300-mile walk across Washington to raise awareness and funding for a rehabilitation program she says is helping incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives before they leave prison. Burton, founder of the OUT Impact Coalition, is seeking to raise $250,000 to expand her 26-week prison transformation program, which focuses on addiction recovery, emotional health, workforce development, family reunification and long-term self-sufficiency. She argues that Washington spends more than $63,000 each year to incarcerate an inmate, while her program costs about $4,500 per participant. Burton believes helping people address the root causes of addiction and criminal behavior before they're released can reduce recidivism and ultimately save taxpayers money. A former addict who spent decades cycling through addiction and incarceration, Burton says her own life changed while she was still in prison. She now hopes others can follow that same path through the program she created. Burton is inviting supporters to walk alongside her during portions of the journey or contribute to the fundraiser as she makes her way across Washington. The effort highlights a broader conversation about prison reform, rehabilitation and whether investing in successful reentry programs can produce better outcomes for both former inmates and taxpayers. #PrisonReform #GinnyBurton #Washington #CriminalJustice #Recidivism #PublicSafety #Recovery #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonNews #WashingtonInFocus