On March 29, 2024, President Joseph R. Biden proclaimed April 2024 as Second Chance Month and called for observance of the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Second Chance Month 2024
April 1, 2024
April 2024 is
Second Chance Month
Each April, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs celebrates Second Chance Month to recognize the importance of helping individuals, communities, and agencies across the country appreciate their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. Second Chance Month aims to inform and highlight the many opportunities for state, local, and Tribal governments and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for our returning community members.
Celebrating 15 Years of the Second Chance Act
For the past 15 years, federal, state, local, and Tribal governments, as well as community-based organizations across the country, have focused on reducing recidivism like never before.
- The Second Chance Act (SCA) has invested $1.2 billion, infusing state and local efforts to improve outcomes for people leaving prison and jail with unprecedented resources and energy.
- The Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention have awarded funding to 1,123 SCA grantees to improve reentry outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
- The SCA-funded National Reentry Resource Center has built up a connective tissue across local, state, Tribal, and federal reentry initiatives, convening the many disparate actors who contribute to reentry success.
- States are adopting public, ambitious goals that drive system change and a promise of support to reach these goals.
- State and local corrections agencies include reentry success as part of their core mission.
- Community-based organizations are standing up innovative programs to connect people with housing, jobs, education, treatment, and more.
- Researchers have built a rich body of evidence about what works to reduce criminal justice involvement and improve reentry outcomes.
- Private corporations are using their platforms to champion second chance employment as both a moral and business imperative.
50 States, 1 Goal
Examining State-Level Recidivism Trends in the Second Chance Act Era
This report highlights the significant progress made in reducing recidivism across the country over the past 15 years. Since its passage in 2008, the Second Chance Act has invested in state and local efforts to improve outcomes for people leaving prison and jail, with a total of nearly 1,200 grantees from 48 states and 3 territories administering programs that have served more than 400,000 people.
Congressional Briefing: The Second Chance Act at 15
April 16, 2024, 3:00- 4:15pm, Eastern
The Second Chance Act, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2008 and reauthorized in 2018, has paved the way for groundbreaking initiatives aimed at rebuilding lives and strengthening communities.
At this event, esteemed speakers will delve into the profound impact of the Second Chance Act over the past 15 years, the crucial need for continued support of reentry services, and the latest evidence-based strategies to reduce recidivism and promote successful reintegration.
Speakers will provide insightful perspectives on the critical role of reentry services in fostering brighter futures, stronger families, and safer communities. They will also highlight some of the significant achievements from the last 15 years.
Opening Remarks & Keynote Speakers
- Megan Quattlebaum, Director, The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center
- Rob Jeffreys, Director, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and President, Correctional Leaders Association
- Rep. Bobby Scott (Virginia)
- Rep. Carol Miller (West Virginia)
- Rep. Danny K. Davis (Illinois)
- Sen. Cory Booker (New Jersey)
- Megan Quattlebaum, Director, The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center (Moderator)
- Tammie Gregg, Principal Deputy Director, Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Rob Jeffreys, Director, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and President, Correctional Leaders Association
- Javier Reyes, Founder and CEO, Challenge II Change (Illinois)
- Cam Ward, Director, Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles and Advisory Board Chair, CSG Justice Center
- Prince Alvarado, Peer Support Specialist, Center for Family Services (New Jersey)
- Sharon Bean, Camden County Jail Population Manager, Department of Corrections and Project Administrator, Peer Support Reentry Program in Camden County (New Jersey)
Second Chance Month 2024 Highlights
EVENTS AND RELATED RESOURCES
Events
Events on Multiple Dates
Second Chance Month Events
In-person events, Palm Beach County, FL
Hosted by Palm Beach County Public Safety Department
Expungement Clinics
In-person events, Kentucky
Hosted by Kentucky Department of Advocacy and partner organizations
April 3
Reentry Reimagined Summit: Equitable Access and Educational Empowerment for Justice-Impacted Communities
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET
In-person event, State College, PA
Hosted by Penn State College of Education
April 4
The Business Case for Second Chance Employment: Charting a Path Forward with Corporations and Business Schools
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. ET
In-person event, Wharton, Philadelphia, PA
Hosted by Coalition for Equity and Opportunity
April 15
Second Chances, Stronger Communities
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ET
In-person event, Washington, DC
Hosted by FHI 360
April 17
Second Chance Month Real World/Micro Society Simulations
In-person event, Lenoir YDC, North Carolina
Hosted by North Carolina Department of Public Safety
April 23
Second Chance Party
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET
In-person event, Belfast, ME
Hosted by Volunteers of America Northern New England
4:00–5:00 p.m. ET
Webinar
Hosted by the Vera Institute of Justice, the CSG Justice Center, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance
April 24
Second Chance Month Real World/Micro Society Simulations
In-person event, Edgecombe YDC, North Carolina
Hosted by North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Celebrating OJP’s Second Chance Fellows
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET
Webinar
Hosted by the Office of Justice Programs
April 25
Discussion Panel: Supporting Youth in Reentry through Medicaid Funding
2:00–3:00 p.m. ET
Webinar
Hosted by the CSG Justice Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance
ArtSpoken: annual event highlighting artists who are incarcerated
6:00–9:00 p.m. ET
In-person event, Indianapolis, IN
Hosted by Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry (PACE)
Client art show featuring work created by in-jail art therapy participants
6:00–8:00 p.m. ET
In-person event, Buffalo, NY
Hosted by Peaceprints of WNY
April 27
Reentry Awareness Resource Fair and Necessities Drive
In-person event, Casa Grande, AZ
Hosted by Casa Grande Alliance
April 29
Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Overdose Risk during Reentry
3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Webinar
Hosted by the CSG Justice Center and the Bureau of Justice Assistance
Resources
Second Chance Month Proclamation and Video Series
Virginia Department of Corrections
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