White House Proclaims April 2023 As Second Chance Month


Second Chance Month 2023 Proclamation banner

On March 31, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden proclaimed April 2023 as Second Chance Month and called upon all government officials, educators, volunteers, and all the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

In the proclamation, President Biden states:

I believe in redemption — but for hundreds of thousands of Americans released from State and Federal prisons each year, or the nearly 80 million who have an arrest or conviction record, it is not always easy to come by. A criminal record can prevent them from landing a steady job, a safe place to live, quality health care, or the chance to go to back school. It can keep them from ever getting a loan to buy a home, start a business, or build a future. It can bar them from voting. As a result, three-quarters of formerly incarcerated people remain unemployed a year after their release — and joblessness is a top predictor of recidivism. We are not giving people a real second chance.

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice ProgramsBureau of Justice Assistance and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention are supporting Second Chance Month to help individuals, communities, and agencies across the country recognize the importance of reentry and their role in supporting safe and successful reentry.

Read the Proclamation