Yesterday the Senate Judiciary Committee approved S.1231, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2011, authored by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rob Portman (R-Oh). The bill provides resources to state and local governments as well as community-based organizations, to improve the success rates for people released from prison and jail. The committee reported out the bill on a 10 to 8 party line vote. The bill extends the original grant program authorized by the Second Chance Act for an additional five years while also improving and consolidating certain provisions. S.1231 provides planning and implementation support for key reentry grantees; creates an incentive for federal inmates to participate in recidivism reduction programming; and repeals several programs that have not been funded or implemented. There are currently more than 2M people in jail or prison in the US, and more than 13M people spend some time in jail or prison each year. The Second Chance Act recognizes that most of these people will at some point return to our communities.
This is excellent news!
are there any details about the recidivism reduction programming? Ie- what are the programs, when will they begin offering them, will they be available at all facilities or only certain ones (like the RDAP program) etc?
ReplyDeleteThis Act provides grants for community agencies and others to provide services that assist ex-offenders reentry. Mission Behind Bars and Beyond www.missionbehindbarsandbeyond.org has applied for a grant to continue and expand the work currently being done in Kentucky in this area. Undoubtedly other agencies have likewise made grant applications as well.
ReplyDeletecan you confirm something that I heard-- the bill authorized the increase from 47 to 54 days & opens the door for an additional 60 days of good time credit earned for classes taken.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some others can comment on the question above.
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