Second Chance Act of 2007: About the Act
The Second Chance Act was signed into law by President Bush on April 9, 2008. While the appropriations have not been officially counted in the Congressional budget, the House has tentatively appropriated $45 million while the Senate has set aside $20 million.
Purpose
There are currently more than 2 million people serving sentences in federal and state prisons, and 10-12 million people cycling through local jails every year. Ninety-five percent of all prisoners incarcerated today will eventually be released into our communities, and it is important that we provide them with the resources necessary to not be one of the 66 percent of people whom are rearrested within three years. The Second Chance Act will help ensure that the transition from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful.
Sponsors
There are 33 cosponsors in the Senate, including Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE), Ranking Judiciary Committee Member Arlen Specter (R-PA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
In addition, there are 92 cosponsors in the House, including Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL), Chris Cannon (R-UT), John Conyers (D-MI), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), and James Sensenbrenner (R-WI).
Key Provisions
Demonstration Grants. Provides grants to states and local governments that may be used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Allowable uses of funds include employment services, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims services, and methods to improve release and revocation decisions using risk-assessment tools.
Mentoring Grants. Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that may be used for mentoring adult offenders or offering transitional services for reintegration into the community.
Offender Reentry Substance Abuse Treatment. Creates grants to improve the availability of drug treatment to offenders.
Family Drug Treatment Programs. Authorizes grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop and implement family-based treatment programs for incarcerated parents who have minor children.
Federal Reentry Initiative. Provides guidance to the Bureau of Prisons for enhanced reentry planning procedures. Also allows each inmate being released to receive specific information on health, employment, personal finance, release requirements and community resources.
Reentry Research. Authorizes the U.S. Justice Department's National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics to conduct reentry-related research.
National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center. Establishes a national resource center to collect and disseminate best practices and to provide training on and support for reentry efforts.
