By Nicole Maharaj
February 6, 2006

Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL) gave key remarks and a legislative update on the Second Chance Act to the mayors task force on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives held on Thursday, January 26. The Task Force efforts are led by Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street and Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz.

The Second Chance legislation aims to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and help states and local governments better address the large numbers of people returning to communities from prisons and jails. This bill focuses on five key areas: jobs, housing, mental health, substance abuse treatment and strengthening families. H.R. 1704 calls for $110 million and S. 1934 calls for $312 for a two year authorization. A Senate hearing on the Second Chance legislation is currently scheduled to take place in the early spring.

“America is a nation of second chances. Therefore, the Second Chance Act is simply an extension of that principle to individuals who have run afoul of the law and have convictions. Helping these individuals return to society as self'sufficient, contributing members of society is the goal of the Second Chance Act. Every one should support it,” said Davis.

Davis, an author and catalyst of the bill, encouraged the mayors to contact their congressional representatives to support passage of this important legislation. With the help of mayors, the Second Chance Act can pass this year. Please call or e-mail your member of Congress and ask him/her to sponsor the reentry legislation and work to see it enacted. There are already bi-partisan groups of congressional supporters for this legislation including 99 members in the House of Representatives and 14 members in the U.S. Senate.

Data proves that two thirds of all prisoners released return to the nation’s core cities and counties. As a result, cities and counties are absorbing the economic cost of reentry. Without adequate support mechanisms, formerly incarcerated individuals are highly likely to reoffend, and the high recidivism rates have direct economic consequences. According to the BJS, local governments contributed the most (51 percent) to criminal justice – almost $75 billion in 1999. If the Second Chance legislation is passed, local governments will be a better position to re-direct funds into other needed areas that are now being expended on criminal justice activities.

According to Street, Co-Chair of the Mayors Task Force “The reintegration of prisoners into city neighborhoods is a serious challenge. Cities alone do not have the resources to provide the services and personal attention necessary to meet that challenge. However, by working in partnership with faith and community-based organizations we can succeed and fulfill our shared responsibility.” Street has also recently established A Mayors Office for the Reentry of Ex-Offenders proving the commitment of his administration to effectuating significant and positive changes in this area.

Eric Cadora, Director of the Justice Mapping Center gave a visual presentation to illustrate how states, counties and municipalities use their criminal justice resources as it relates to high incarceration and high reentry communities. The Justice Mapping Center uses geographic information systems to map criminal justice populations, including reentry populations, prison resources and parole and probation caseloads.

“This year, some 600,000 inmates will be released from prison back into society. We know from long experience that if they can’t find work or a home, or help, they are much more likely to commit crime and return back to prison…….American is the land of the second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” President George W. Bush, January 2004 State of the Union.

For more information, contact Nicole Maharaj at the Conference of Mayors, 202-861-6735.