This alert was originally sent to members July 13, 2006.
Across the country, over 2.2 million people are in prisons and jails. But here's a less talked-about figure: nearly 650,000 people a year are being released from state and federal prisons. Without adequate support, many of them wind up back in prison. If we can pass the Federal Second Chance Act this summer, we can help turn that around.
The Federal Second Chance Act is a combination of policy changes and funding meant to improve the rough transition from prison to the community. Since its introduction, it has gained bipartisan support. The Senate version (S. 1934) establishes a National Re- entry Resource Center and allocates $100 million per year for 2006 and 2007 in grants to state and local governments for re-entry. These grants --- for housing, addiction treatment, and mentoring programs --- can directly address the biggest barriers to successful re-entry for thousands of people leaving prison and returning home to Oregon communities.
Ask your Senator to Support the Second Chance Act
The Second Chance Act is still in committee, but with enough support it could make it to the Senate floor for a vote. With over twenty co-sponsors already, it's clear there's support for it. Here are some possible points for an email or letter to your Senator:
- I support the Second Chance Act (S. 1934) and hope you sign on as a co-sponsor, or encourage your colleagues to send it out of committee for a floor vote.
- With thousands of people every year returning to Oregon communities from prison, we need more funds for housing, treatment, education and mentoring for prisoners.
- We need to expand housing and treatment options for people leaving prison if we want them to succeed.
- The cost of re-incarcerating people is too high -- we have to do a better job of reducing recidivism [0].
Both of Oregon's Senators use web-based email forms to receive email from their constituents. Visit these web pages to send them your comments:
Senator Gordon Smith: http://gsmith.senate.gov/webform.htm [1]
Senator Ron Wyden: http://wyden.senate.gov/contact/ [2]
Be sure that you mention the Bill number (S. 1934) and that you support the bill. A short, focused message is more effective than a long one. You can check out our Tips for an Effective Letter to a Legislator [2]handout for suggestions (even though that handout is about state legislators, not federal).
You can read a summary of the Second Chance Act (Senate version) online here. [3]
In our next Action Alert, we'll focus on the House version of the Second Chance Act. Stay tuned...
Thanks for being part of the Oregon Action Alert Network for Criminal Justice Reform.