TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- A 67-year-old woman is cycling through Tallahassee on a cross-country trip to raise money for programs that help the formerly incarcerated get back on their feet.
Lindsay Waite says those with a criminal record face difficulties finding work. Her work as a public defender in Baltimore inspired her to look closer at recidivism -- the rate of ex-convicts going back to prison.
Waite says many struggle with substance abuse and psychological issues. They often have minimal job skills, backgrounds of inadequate education, and few opportunities to find housing if there is no family support.
She says the programs she is riding to raise money for help to break that cycle.
"For us as taxpayers -- instead of spending 20 to 50 thousand dollars and sometimes higher for incarcerating people -- programs cost less than half of that," Waite said. "So, we're saving money. So, in all kinds of ways, it helps all of us as a whole."
Waite started her bike ride in Albuquerque, New Mexico on April 2. By the time she arrived in Tallahassee, she had biked 800 miles.
Her next stop is Palatka, Florida. She is expected to end her run in Baltimore on June 1.
