Prisoners Reentering Society Given ‘Second Chance’
- Apr 8, 2008 - comment
According to recent trends, the odds that a prisoner will find himself back behind bars within just a few years of release are tragically high. But a much-welcomed law aimed at preparing prisoners to reintegrate into society could soon reverse those odds.
The Second Chance Act of 2007, which President Bush is expected to sign into law April 9, was birthed out of a desire to slash the number of repeat criminal offenders and build safer communities and stronger families. Under this law, many of the roughly 650,000 adults who are expected to be released from jail or prison this year will be given much more than freedom from prison fatigues and confined living quarters. They will also receive training and mentoring to help steer them from criminal behavior and toward successful futures.
More specifically, the Act will award grants to states, local governments, and non-profit organizations to provide counseling, education, vocational training, drug rehabilitation, and other assistance to help ex-offenders transition back into society.
The Act, which like hundreds of other bills had been sentenced to death by committee in the two previous Congresses, faced little opposition when brought to a vote this Congress. The House approved it 347-62 late last year, and the Senate passed it unanimously in March.
And it could not come at a more crucial time. More than 1 in 100 adults in the United States is behind bars, and recidivism rates across the nation are disturbingly high. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that 95 percent of inmates will at some point be released into society—and about half of them will be hauled back to confinement within three years for returning to criminal activity or violating conditions of their parole. Among those released from state prisons, 67 percent are rearrested within three years.
Additionally, the U.S. leads the world in both number and percentage of residents incarcerated. More than 2.3 million adults are incarcerated in our country, outpacing China’s second place 1.5 million adults behind bars and Russia’s 890,000, according to a February report by the Pew Center on the States.
History has taught us that prison time, by itself, is not enough to get the upper hand on crime. While lengthy sentences give individuals ample time to think long and hard about the lack of judgment demonstrated by their past criminal actions, inmates often possess few resources to get them on their feet when released. With limited financial resources and resumes tarnished by criminal activity, released individuals often lack direction—emotionally, relationally, and vocationally—and return to their former habits.
Supporters of the Second Chance Act understand that a workable equation to deter lawlessness must include meaningful programs to provide support in each of these areas. To that end, the Act builds upon the Prisoner Reentry Initiative set in motion in the 2004 State of the Union address by President Bush, who also recognized the need to reformulate criminal justice.
The Second Chance Act will go a long way in unlocking the potential within ex-offenders to make lasting, healthy contributions to society. Even so, programs have their limitations. These men and women—like all people—will only experience true freedom from their shackles through a transformation of the heart. Ex-offenders most certainly need the Second Chance Act, but even more so they need a rebirth offered by Jesus Christ to drastically cut their odds of recidivism.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission works to fight for criminal justice in America by supporting bills such as the Second Chance Act of 2007. If your church is interested in purchasing bulletin inserts on criminal justice, please visit our online bookstore.
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