During the last 6 years of my career in corrections I did research in the law library for inmates in addition to other duties. I had to read the Second Chance Act to see if it would apply to inmates because they were looking for an easy way out of their sentences. The majority of the act enacted by the US Congress is legislative in nature and involves how the program is funded, how it is administered and by whom. In the last few pages of the act an inmate would have to be “above reproach” to be even considered eligible for the Second Chance Act to take effect. In fact, the restrictions are so stringent that only first time offenders who are not charged with felonies or violent crimes could even apply. I doubt seriously if this will affect many prisoners at all.

Second Chance Act? or should it be called hummm " I’m going to give you a second chance Not to get caught ",,,,,,,,,,,, Please waste my money that I worked so hard for ….

I think they should not implement it if theres no effect on it, and the same through advantage in their part,
Thanks,,

http://howtodealwithdepression.org

I think that it is just another way for the politicians to throw money at a problem rather than work out a, answer.

True. Unfortunately most of these offenders are allergic to hard work. They look for the easy (usually illegal) way to make money fast. Unless the laws get tougher, and the prisons aren’t better living quarters for them than the streets, and people are actually afraid to come to prison, recidivism will not be reduced.

I have said it before and I will say it again. “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink”. It’s all well and good to have all these schemes and incentives but the people they are aimed at have to want to change and alter their way of life. As one inmate said to me once “Why would I want to go straight, get some shitty job and get paid shitty money. When I can rob a bank or sell drugs and get more money in a day than you make in a year slogging your guts out.” Need I say more.

What do you think about the Second Chance Act? Will it be effective in reducing recidivism?