Advocacy Alert: U.S. Senators Propose Bipartisan Second Chance Reauthorization Act to Strengthen Reentry Programs and Promote Public Safety

June 20, 2024

Around 600,000 people leave incarceration and return to society from prison yearly, with an even higher rate of arriving and departing from regional detention facilities. To address the challenges these individuals face in reintegrating into society, and to provide support to reduce the likelihood of reoffence, the Second Chance Act was enacted. This legislation was passed by Congress with bipartisan support and signed into law by President Bush in April 2008. The Act was last reauthorized by President Trump in 2018.

The Second Chance Act of 2008 aims to enhance public safety and reduce corrections expenses for state and local governments by improving reentry services for individuals who leave prisons and jails. This Act signifies a federal investment in strategies to fulfill its purpose by allocating up to $165 million in federal grants to state, local, and tribal government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to support initiatives and programs focused on achieving these goals (CSG Justice Center, 2018). In June 2024, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced a new bill to reauthorize crucial reentry grant programs that were originally established from the Second Chance Act of 2008. These programs included supportive services for housing, career training, childcare, and treatment for substance use disorders and mental health issues (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

In support of reauthorizing the bill, Senator Booker (D-NJ) emphasizes the need of providing tools and support to aid the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. By helping and providing resources to individuals returning to their communities from prison and jails each year, Booker believes it will help them reintegrate into society successfully as a critical component to creating safer communities. By offering support to formerly incarcerated individuals, it becomes possible to break the cycle of repeated criminal behavior, also known as recidivism. To stress the necessity of supporting the return of formerly incarcerated individuals into society, Booker highlights instances of redemption and transformation of individuals who have benefitted from the Second Chance Act of 2008 (Sierra Sun Times, 2024). In support of Booker, Senator Capito (R-WV) also believes that supporting those exiting incarceration is crucial in allowing them to become productive community members (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

Around 95% of incarcerated individuals will return to society, and the reauthorization of this legislation will continue providing resources to evidence-based programs that have been proven successful in reducing the chances of people committing recidivism. Capito reinforces the idea that investing in effective programs aimed at supporting the reentry of formerly incarcerated persons is not only beneficial for them but also contributes to public safety by reducing the risk of reoffending (Sierra Sun Times 2024).

In addition to Senators Booker and Capito, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) supports their views as well. The Second Chance Act is an effective and time-tested law that Durbin highlights has already shown success in helping individuals reestablish themselves in society through reentry programs. He cites that the First Step Act of 2018, which aims to further criminal justice reform by permitting the early release of specific inmates convicted in federal court has been successful (Spolin and Dukes, n.d.), and the Second Chance Act builds on those successes. There is an emphasis on the need to invest in policies to reduce recidivism and create purposeful opportunities for those leaving the prison system. Durbin stresses that the mission of the criminal justice system is to rehabilitate and prepare people to reintegrate into society successfully. Senator Cornyn (R-TX) supports the value of Second Chance programs as well, in providing resources to formerly incarcerated individuals to help them rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities. He advocates for reauthorized funding for reentry initiatives, underscoring that these investments can not only lead to decreased recidivism and overall improvement in their lives but also benefit society (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

The importance of community reentry grant programs being funded by The Second Chance Act is also supported by Senator Welch, who believes that these programs will help break the cycle of recidivism and foster long-term positive change for formerly incarcerated individuals. These grant programs provide crucial support and services, including housing, employment, and health care, to help individuals released from incarceration rebuild their lives. Welch points out that bipartisan legislation hopes to continue this progress by reauthorizing the Second Chance Act, thereby ensuring ongoing investment in programs to enhance community safety and further reduce recidivism (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024 aims to (Sierra Sun Times, 2024):

• Reauthorize key grant programs offering essential services and resources for people reentering communities from incarceration.
• Expand the use of funds for supportive and transitional housing for individuals leaving prison and jail.
• Improve addiction treatment services such as peer recovery support, case management, and overdose prevention.

Ever since the legislation was enacted 15 years ago, The Second Chance Act has been instrumental in supporting states, local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to reduce recidivism. To date, this Act has provided grants that have reached at least 442,000 justice-involved individuals, offering them reentry services and support through parole and probation programs. Between 2009 and 2023 under The Second Chance Act, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded over $600 million in 1,100 grants to 845 agencies across the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. These agencies include states, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations focused on reentry programs (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

The bill to reauthorize the Second Chance Act is approved by a bipartisan group of U.S Senators: Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

In the House of Representatives, the U.S Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV), Danny Davis (D-IL), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) introduced the companion legislation (Sierra Sun Times, 2024).

Overall, the main purpose of The Second Chance Act is to provide significant financial support and resources to support the reintegration of individuals returning from incarceration, demonstrating a broad, bipartisan commitment to reducing recidivism and promoting successful reentry.

NBHAP is one of several organizations to support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024. To view the complete text of the bill here.

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