Second Chance Act

The Second Chance Act is federal legislation designed to improve outcomes for people returning to the community from prisons and jails. On April 9, 2008, President Bush signed the Second Chance Act into law (Public Law 110-199). This first-of-its-kind legislation authorizes federal grants to government agencies and community and faith-based organizations to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services that can help reduce re-offending and violations of probation and parole.

Both the House and Senate provided funding for Second Chance Act programs in their draft appropriations bills for fiscal year 2009, but they failed to pass those bills before the start of FY09 on October 1, 2008. Instead, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) which provides no funding for new programs, including the Second Chance Act. The current CR funds the federal government through March 6, 2009, so Congress will have to pass another appropriations bill before March to fund the federal government through the remainder of FY09. When Congress returns after the election, the Justice Center will urge members of Congress to provide funding for the Second Chance Act in fiscal year 2009, as well as fiscal year 2010.

Once funds have been appropriated, the federal government will put out a request for proposals from state agencies and local service providers. If and when the act is funded, the Reentry Policy Council (RPC) newsletter will provide detailed information about how to apply for Second Chance Act funding. Click here to subscribe to the RPC newsletter.

For more information, see the documents below:

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