The Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of the reauthorization of the Second Chance Act marked the first hurdle passed as far as keeping this landmark bill alive. Enacted in 2008, experts have labeled the Second Chance Act a key contributor to states’ recent progress toward reducing recidivism by providing funding for many programs for inmates and released prisoners including mentoring, substance abuse, employment, and education.

Senator Rob Portman is pleased to see the bill’s passage out of the SJC:

“The ultimate goal of our criminal justice system is to make our families stronger and our communities safer…the work done under the Second Chance Act helps us to accomplish that goal, one life at a time, and I am pleased we are one step closer to its reauthorization.”

What is up next for the reauthorization?

Learn more at csgjusticecenter.org