Intervention to reintegrate ex-offenders into the community may not have powerful support, but it is necessary to benefit society as a whole and reduce costs, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell told a U.S. House of Representatives panel last week.

In testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Markell told lawmakers that “like any effort to achieve meaningful change, this will not come to pass without hard work, but we cannot afford—and cannot tolerate—the status quo any longer.”