Sen. Cam Ward is passionate about second chances and has led the charge for justice reform in Alabama. Ward agreed to answer our questions about criminal justice reform in the state.
Access to Pell Grants can’t change a prisoner’s release date, but it can dramatically change the outcomes for the person and for society. By restoring investment in education behind bars through Pell Grants, we can tap into the God-given potential of people who, despite their choices in the past, can make significant contributions to their families, communities, and future employers.
Matthew Charles was one of the first prisoners released after the passage of the FIRST STEP Act. Prison Fellowship editor Maria Mallory White recently spoke with Matthew about what life has been like since his release, and what he believes are America’s next steps in criminal justice reform.
Matthew Charles had been out of prison for almost a year when the Court of Appeals ordered that he return to prison to serve out the rest of his original 35-year sentence. His story caught the nation’s attention, with hundreds demanding his release. Read on to discover the incredible story of Matthew’s journey.
The 4 in 10 Texans with a criminal record face significant barriers to employment because of restrictions on occupational licensing in the state. But Prison Fellowship’s advocacy efforts helped to change that—and to open up second chances for meaningful employment to thousands.
Returning citizens face numerous barriers to education. Karen Swanson, director of the Billy Graham Center’s Institute for Prison Ministries at Wheaton College, has five tips for colleges and universities that want to welcome former prisoners.
Jonathan will spend a lifetime trying to get back the precious moments a single bad decision cost him. Nearly 1 in 28 children has a father incarcerated. Incarceration and collateral consequences affect more than just those convicted of crime.
Department of Justice reveals significant drop in juvenile incarceration in new report.
Second Chance Month continues to build momentum, and April 2019 was the best one yet! From changing individual lives to changing our national conversation, here are some of the highlights.
Should prisoners be eligible for federal Pell grants?
When Cassie was incarcerated for four years, her children were just 4 years and 11 months old. Knowing their pain from experiencing her own father’s incarceration made it almost too much for Cassie to bear. But she made the most of their time apart. Now she’s reunited with her children and making up for lost time.
From an abusive childhood to a life in and out of prison. Serena Steenholdt felt like her life was spiraling out of control until she found God and reconnected with her children... “God is so much bigger than I ever thought.”
How Second-Chance Hiring Benefits a Company and Its Community
In this Easter message of second chances and redemption, Prison Fellowship president and CEO James Ackerman looks back at Charles Colson's legacy.
On April 25 Geoff Ables and others will start off on the first-ever Second Chance Ride—a motorcycle ride to raise awareness about obstacles faced by the 1 in 3 American adults with a criminal record.