Urgent Update! Federal Action Alert: Second Chance Act

As many of you know, LAC and the National H.I.R.E. Network have long supported the Second Chance Act federal reentry legislation (please see our SCA page to learn more). With recent developments in Washington, we need your help to ensure its continued success.

Second Chance Funding

Most critically, Congress is working now to decide on funding for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins on October 1. In a potential blow for reentry programs across the country, the Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a bill that would eliminate funding for the Second Chance Act in FY 2012. For its part, the House version of the legislation, approved this summer, would provide $70 million for the Second Chance Act in FY12.

Congressional leaders are expected to meet next week to come to agreement on funding levels, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has pledged to work to restore Second Chance Act funding through the conference process. That's why we need your help now!

How You Can Help

Call the office of your representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives and tell them it’s urgent that they include $70 million to $100 million in funding for the Second Chance Act for FY2012. Stress how important it is to your community to have effective solutions to promote successful reentry, both to save money and to improve public safety. Follow this link for a one-pager on the value of the Second Chance Act.

You can also submit a letter in support of Second Chance Act funding here.

Please contact Mark O’Brien with any questions.

Thank you for you help in pushing for this critical funding!