By Nicole Maharaj
July 26, 2004

A bi-partisan bill was introduced in the House June 23 calling for increased comprehensive methods to deal with reentry for ex-offenders entitled "The Second Chance Act of 2004 — H.R. 4676." The original bill sponsors include Representatives Rob Portman (OH), Danny Davis (IL), Mark Souder (IN), and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH).

The purpose of the bill is to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and help both state and local governments better address the growing population of ex-offenders returning to communities. Primary focus areas of the bill include: jobs, housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment. The bill also calls for the creation of an interagency federal taskforce, which will be charged to identify better ways to collaborate on this issue, and report back to Congress on the federal barriers that exist to successful reentry with recommendations. Overall, the proposed legislation calls to increase public safety, strengthen families, prevent crime, restore victims, and reduce costs at the federal, state and local levels by reducing recidivism among individuals reentering society after imprisonment.

The house version of the bill calls for $40 million a year for fiscal years -05 and -06. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to both state and local governments who implement comprehensive reentry strategies. Priority consideration will be given obviously to geographic locations with substantiated high populations of ex-offenders — demonstrating innovative partnerships with both community and faith-based organizations. In 2003, a reentry pilot program was established in each state, but both cities and counties were excluded from receiving any funds. If passed, this would be a historic accomplishment for local governments by placing both city and county governments on equal footing for receiving federal assistance. To date, no version has been introduced in the Senate. However, it is the intent for this legislation to be approved by Congress before adjourning for the year.

Recent 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. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, local governments contributed the most to criminal justice — almost $75 billion in 1999.

The Conference of Mayors introduced and passed an official policy resolution during a major national Reentry Forum held in Philadelphia last April in support of creating sustained reentry programs in cities. The resolution also includes endorsement of H.R. 4676. The resolution sponsors included Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz (see policy resolution on-line). The Conference has also joined a coalition comprised of several various organizations led by the Open Society Institute, which has helped spearhead the fruition of this legislation.

In addition, President Bush has proposed a four-year, $300 million initiative, at $75 million a year in his FY 2005 budget to reduce recidivism and the societal costs of reincarceration by helping inmates find work when returning to their communities harnessing the resources and experience of faith and community based organizations working through three federal departments to provide job training and placement, transitional housing and mentoring for prisoners returning back to society.