SECOND CHANCE MONTH
The day has finally come!
On Tuesday, thanks to advocates like you who raised their voices, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution declaring April 2017 as "Second Chance Month."
The resolution, co-sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), and Richard Durbin (D-IL), states that Congress "honors the work of communities, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, congregations, employers, and individuals to remove unnecessary legal and societal barriers that prevent an individual with a criminal record from becoming a productive member of society."
Furthermore, it "calls on the people of the United States to observe Second Chance Month through actions and programs that promote awareness of collateral consequences; and provide closure for individuals who have paid their debts."
This is a big deal. A national Second Chance Month sends a powerful message about the God-given potential and value of every person with a criminal record.
As Craig DeRoche, senior vice president of advocacy and public policy, said, “There is no such thing as a throwaway person, and by granting second chances to those who have earned them, we will be contributing to the restoration of families, communities, and our nation.”
And there’s more good news on the horizon. California’s Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) has introduced a resolution in the House to designate April as Second Chance Month along with Reps. Karen Bass (D-CA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), John Conyers (D-MI), Danny Davis (D-IL), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Mia Love (R-UT), Mark Walker (R-NC), and Steve Russell (R-OK). You can thank these lawmakers for taking positive action and urge others to support the resolution using our easy online advocacy tool.
There are also Second Chance Month proclamations by the Michigan governor and the St. Paul mayor and resolutions by the Maine and Colorado legislatures! Learn more here.
Thank you again for your role in pushing Second Chance Month forward across the country. It wouldn’t have happened without advocates like you who are willing to go the extra mile to give everyone a fair shot at a second chance.
For justice that restores,
Craig DeRoche
Senior Vice President of Advocacy & Public Policy
Prison Fellowship
Join Prison Fellowship in advocating for justice that restores as we seek to recognize and advance the dignity and value of human life.
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