It is with great pleasure that I report to you that on Tuesday evening (3/11/08) the Senate passed the Second Chance Act, H. R. 1593, which would authorize $362 million to improve the way our prisons prepare inmates to reenter society. Because the bill already passed the House, it will be sent directly to the President for his signature.
The bill includes key elements of President Bush's Prisoner Reentry Initiative, and includes:
- Mentoring programs for adults and juveniles leaving prison;
- Drug treatment during and after incarceration, including family-based treatment for incarcerated parents;
- Education and job training in prison;
- Alternatives to incarceration for parents convicted of non-violent drug offenses;
- Supportive programming for children of incarcerated parents; and
- Early release for certain elderly prisoners convicted of non-violent offenses, in addition to a pilot study of early release for elderly non-violent prisoners.
Some of these provisions were added by the Senate and can be found in the Concurrent Resolution that amends the language of the bill, H Con Res 270.
Of particular importance are the grants to faith-based and community mentoring programs. These grants will allow churches and community groups to recruit, train and match returning inmates with mentors. Prison Fellowship knows from 30 years of ministry to inmates and their families that matching returning inmates with loving mentors from local churches is the best way to help them stay on the straight and narrow.
President Bush asked Congress for this bill in his 2004 State of the Union address, when he said that “America is the land of the second chance, and when the gates of prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.”
Prison Fellowship has worked on this legislation for four years as part of a diverse coalition of religious, civil rights and law enforcement groups. The Second Chance Act was sponsored by legislators from across the political spectrum, including Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL), Joe Pitts (R-PA), John Conyers (D-MI) and Mike Pence (R-IN).
Last week, I urged you to contact Senator Sessions to ask him to lift his hold on the bill. He graciously agreed to do so, setting aside his desire to reform prison work programs for another bill.
Because of Senator Sessions’ action, the Second Chance Act was able to proceed to a vote. Legislators often hear from us when we want something from them or when we are disappointed in their votes. It is also important that we let them know that we appreciate them. It would be wonderful if you took the time to write a note to Senator Sessions telling him that you appreciate his help in moving the Second Chance Act forward.
This important bill passed because of the dedication of a broad-based coalition of religious, political, law enforcement and criminal justice groups that span the ideological spectrum. In the midst of this year’s fierce political battles, Congress set aside its differences and united behind this historic legislation.
This is all the more impressive because there was no political gain in supporting this bill. There are no torchlit parades in congressional districts in support of helping inmates, nor are there any large contributors pressing supporting the bill.
Instead each legislator voted for it because it promotes for the common good. The Second Chance Act will help those Jesus called “the least of these” and by doing so, we will also make our communities safer there will be fewer victims. Our representatives deserve our thanks, and I hope you will express that to them. For your convenience, you can send a letter of your appreciation through our Legislative Action Center.
In His service,
Pat Nolan
Vice President, Prison Fellowship
Resources
Second Chance Act (HR 1593) text
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Second Chance Act (2008)
Council of State Governments Justice Center
Second Chance Act House Concurrent Resolution 270 text
Key Information on the Second Chance Act
The Second Chance Act Frequently Asked Questions (2008)
Families Against Mandatory Minimums
Floor Speeches for the Second Chance Act
Ready or Not, Breakpoint Commentary, 3/13/08
When Prisoners Return, by Pat Nolan
Justice Fellowship’s Legislative Action Center |
