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Your Voice Can Make a Difference!

May 18, 2017 by Emily Harris Greene

Thank you for supporting Second Chance Month! God is doing great things for America's incarcerated population and their families. Check out what happened last month and what's going on this summer!

SECOND CHANCE MONTH 2017

More than 60 bipartisan partners came together last month to fight for second chances for returning citizens, and their voices were heard. The United States Senate passed a resolution declaring April 2017 Second Chance Month. This resolution "calls on the people of the United States to observe Second Chance Month through actions and programs that promote awareness of collateral consequences; and provide closure for individuals who have paid their debts."

U.S. Rep. Cardenas (D-CA) has also introduced a resolution in the House. If second chances for former prisoners are important to you, we ask that you please contact your representatives! Your voice can make a difference.

Mayor Christopher Coleman of St. Paul Second Chance Month

Mayor Coleman supports second chances!

State Legislators

In addition, Prison Fellowship® worked with state policymakers to draft and advance resolutions and proclamations for Second Chance Month:

  • Maine: A resolution introduced by Sen. Eric Brakey (R) successfully passed in the Maine State Legislature
  • Michigan: Gov. Rick Snyder issued a proclamation establishing Second Chance Month
  • Minnesota: Mayor Christopher Coleman of St. Paul presented a proclamation supporting the initiative at the Second Chance 5K run
  • Colorado: A resolution introduced by Reps. Cole Wist (R) and Pete Lee (R), and Sen. Rhonda Fields (D) successfully passed in the General Assembly

Second Chances 5K Races

More than 1,200 people rallied and ran for second chances in St. Paul and Denver, including 702 men and women in prison!

This nationwide, month-long celebration of second chances will become an annual awareness-raising campaign affirming that people with a past can still have a bright future and their families and communities stand to benefit from their contributions.

COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES AND PRISON REFORM

We participated in two briefings for Congressional staff during April including "Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction: Public Safety Benefit or Threat?" and "Ending Sexual Abuse in Detention: Outcomes of the Prison Rape Elimination Act." Both received great turnout and positive feedback from attendees.

FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM

President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner recently met with a bipartisan group of senators. We will continue to look for opportunities to encourage Congress and the Trump administration to advance values-based, restorative criminal justice reform.

COMING UP THIS SUMMER

State legislative sessions are wrapping up, but Prison Fellowship is still working hard for criminal justice reform. Stay tuned in the coming months for an important announcement from Prison Fellowship and our partners. Thank you for your support, and we ask that you continue to pray for the Lord's favor as we move forward.

ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

If you are interested in advocating for justice reform, or if you would like to share your own Second Chance story, we'd love to hear from you!

ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE THAT RESTORES

SHARE YOUR SECOND CHANCE STORY

Filed Under: Advocacy & Reentry Tagged With: Collateral Consequences, Prison Rape Elimination Act, Second Chance 5K Denver, Second Chance 5k St. Paul, Second Chance Month

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