Second Chance Act Resources

The Second Chance Act, which passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support in 2008, provides grants for state and local governments and nonprofit organizations to help offenders make a successful transition back home. Justice Fellowship worked with a broad coalition for five years to bring the act to reality. Now, funds are flowing to programs across the country that are making a difference in offenders' lives!

The resources below will help you understand the act better, advocate for full support for the grant programs, and navigate the grant application process.

Latest News:
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARS ABOUT SECOND CHANCE ACT SUCCESSES
July 23, 2010
The Senate Judiciary Commitee yesterday held a hearing about the benefits of Second Chance Act programs for our communities. Testimony from the hearing, entitled "The Second Chance Act: Strengthening Safe and Effective Community Reentry," is available at the Senate Judiciary Committee's website.

TAKE ACTION TO GET FULL FUNDING FOR THE SECOND CHANCE ACT!
March 4, 2010
President Obama requested $100 million for Second Chance Act grants for fiscal year 2011. Congress must approve this amount in the budget that it passes. Write to your Members of Congress and ask them to support full funding for the Second Chance Act!

Use our sample letter here: Sample Letter for Second Chance Act Funding

THE NATIONAL REENTRY RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS WEBINAR ON HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANTS
February 5, 2010
The National Reentry Resource Center hosted a webinar, with instructions and questions and answers, about the nonprofit mentoring grants. To listen to a recording of this session please click here.

SOLICITATION FOR MENTORING GRANT APPLICATIONS BEGINS
January 20, 2010
The Bureau of Justice Statistics has started accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for grants to conduct mentoring programs that help adults prisoners reenter society. Click here to download the application instructions.

APPLICATIONS FOR DEMONSTRATION GRANTS NOW ACCEPTED
January 8, 2010
The federal government has started soliciting applications for this next fiscal year's Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Demonstration Project grants. Funds are now available for state and local governments to conduct programs and provide services for prisoners getting ready to come home. The deadline for applications is March 4, 2010. Read the Bureau of Justice Assistant's instructions here.

FUNDING FOR SECOND CHANCE ACT DEBATED
November 2, 2009
The Senate passed an appropriations bill (H.R. 2847) that provides $64 million for prisoner reentry, including $50 million for the Second Chance Act. The House version of the bill, which passed in June, provided $100 million for Second Chance Act programs. A conference committee, involving members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, will now meet to reconcile the two versions of the bill.

Write to your representatives and urge them to support full funding for the Second Chance Act! Use our Legislative Action Center to send a letter now!

Useful Links

Guidance for Nonprofit Organizations Applying for Mentoring Grants

The National Reentry Resource Center hosted a webinar on February 5 with information and questions and answers for nonprofit organizations seeking the Second Chance Act's mentoring grants. A recording of the webinar is available on-line.