On March 31, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden proclaimed April 2023 as Second Chance Month and called for observance of the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Second Chance Month 2023
Second Chance Month
April 2023
Each April, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs celebrates Second Chance Month, recognizing the importance of helping individuals, communities, and agencies across the country appreciate their role in supporting the safe and successful reentry of millions of people returning from incarceration each year. Second Chance Month aims to inform and highlight the many opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments and community-based service providers to build meaningful second chances for our returning community members.
SECOND CHANCE MONTH HIGHLIGHTS
FEATURED EVENTS & RESOURCES
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Topics: General Reentry
Building Reentry Ecosystems: A Blueprint for Innovation
This resource from BJA Second Chance Visiting Fellow John Bae introduces a framework to develop reentry ecosystems and highlights how reentry funding could flow to support communities and people impacted by the criminal justice system.
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Topics: Youth & Young Adults
Second Chances, First Opportunities
In this blog post, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Administrator, Liz Ryan, reflects on the importance of Second Chance Month for system-involved youth.
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Topics: Collateral Consequences
Justice Today: Marlon Chamberlain and "Permanent Punishments"
During this episode of the Justice Today podcast, Marlon Chamberlain discusses his campaign to eliminate the laws that impose hundreds of restrictions on the activities of people who were formerly incarcerated.
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Topics: General Reentry
Justice Today: Mayor Jermaine Wilson and Second Chances
During this episode of the Justice Today podcast, Mayor Jermaine Wilson describes his personal journey from maximum security prison to the highest elected office in his hometown, Leavenworth, Kansas.