Congressional Staff Briefing on the Second Chance Act
On April 24, 2013, the Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSG Justice Center) and the National Association of Counties sponsored a congressional staff briefing with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) on the Second Chance Act. Reentry experts shared the accomplishments of programs funded by the Second Chance Act and highlighted the ongoing need for support of effective, evidence-based reentry initiatives. Congressman Danny Davis noted the bipartisan support surrounding the Second Chance Act and how it has advanced the field nationwide.
Panelists included Denise O’Donnell, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice; A.T. Wall, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections; Art Wallenstein, Director of the Montgomery County (MD) Department of Correction and Rehabilitation; Pam Rodriguez, President of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities; and David D’Amora and Jessica Nickel of the CSG Justice Center.
Panelists provided an overview of the Second Chance Act and its impact on the field of reentry. Since its passage in 2008, nearly 500 Second Chance Act grants have been awarded, and more than 24,000 individuals have participated in Second Chance programs.
To view highlights from the briefing, please visit the CSG Justice Center’s YouTube channel. A video of the full briefing is also available here.
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