By Nicole Maharaj
June 19, 2006

A task force of mayors led by Miami Mayor Manvel A. Diaz, Vice Chair of the Task Force on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, met to continue the dialogue and stress the importance of the Second Chance Legislation (H.R. 1704/S. 1934) for both state and local governments. Data proves 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.

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 four key areas: jobs, housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment and strengthening families. H.R. 1704 calls for $110 million and S. 1934 calls for $312 million for a two-year authorization. Advocates are working to ensure passage of Second Chance Act this year. It may possible to pass the Second Chance in Congress along with other criminal justice legislation that’s currently moving through Congress.

Mayors from various cities stood unified with Davis and other sponsors by signing onto a joint letter of support urging immediate passage of the legislation to key congressional leaders on the Hill.

“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.

A portion of the discussion was also focused on the emerging issue of removing unfair barriers to city employment for people with criminal records. Several cities across the U.S. — three cities, including Chicago, Boston and San Francisco, have led activity in this area. Major features of the city policies included 1) Ban the Box – protects individuals against discrimination by limiting criminal background checks to the final stages of the hiring process except where required by law; 2) Fair Hiring Standards – requires any inquiry into an applicant’s criminal history to be job related; 3) Procurement Standards – applies fair hiring standards to contracts and city vendors; and 4) Consumer Protection and Appeals Rights – protects against problems of inaccurate records and hiring decisions based on incomplete information by requiring early access to criminal history information and an opportunity to present evidence of rehabilitation.

“Implementing this new policy won’t be easy, but it’s the right thing to do. We cannot ask private employers to consider hiring former prisoners unless the city practices what it preaches,” Mayor Richard Daley explained when he announced Chicago’s new hiring policy. Chicago is also responsible for leading national movement in this area by convening a Mayoral Policy Caucus on Prisoner Reentry over the last few years. The Caucus was charged with the mandate of balancing the safety of the community and the needs of those returning from jail and prison and recently released a report of key recommendations which focus on employment, health, family and community safety issues. The final report itself is available at Chicago’s homepage at www.cityofchicago.org under “Chicago Headlines.” You will see a link titled “Mayoral Task Force Releases Recommendations on Prisoner Reentry.” Click on it, and you will be directed to the press release. At the bottom of this page, there is a link to the report.