To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE


SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

Prison Fellowship Declares April The First-Ever "Second Chance" Month

Dan Wooding : Apr 3, 2017  ASSIST News Service

In this current "era of mass incarceration," some 65 million Americans have a criminal record. After being released from jail or prison they face a "second prison" with more than 48,000 documented social stigmas and legal restrictions that inhibit opportunities to rebuild someone's life after paying a debt to society.

(Washington, DC)—[ASSIST News Service] Prison Fellowship leaders, a formerly incarcerated woman and a bipartisan group of justice experts from the American Civil Liberties Union, Koch Industries Inc., The Heritage Foundation, the NAACP and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, along with dozens of other organizations, today declared April 2017 the first-ever "Second Chance Month." (Photo via ANS)

According to a news release from DeMoss, they seek to reduce the social stigma and barriers that plague Americans with a criminal record—one in four adults—who are trying to re-enter their communities.

In a surprise development, Senators Rob Portman, R-OH, and Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, took up Prison Fellowship's declaration of April 2017 as "Second Chance Month" with a plan to introduce the effort as a resolution in their chamber in the coming days.

"We applaud Senators Portman and Klobuchar for their forthcoming resolution declaring April as "Second Chance Month." As America's largest outreach to prisoners, former prisoners and their families, Prison Fellowship was founded on the conviction that every person has God-given dignity and potential. We're honored to be joined by the more than 50 organizations who have signed on to celebrate Prison Fellowship's "Second Chance Month" in order to unlock brighter futures for the millions of Americans who have repaid their debt to society," said Craig DeRoche, senior vice president of advocacy and public policy at Prison Fellowship.

DeMoss went on to say that for far too many who have served time behind bars, release from incarceration brings a new kind of prison. Some 65 million Americans have a criminal record. This limits their access to jobs, education, housing and other things necessary for a full and productive life. Any hope and new identity found while incarcerated can be quickly lost upon release when faced with the "second prison"—the more than 48,000 documented social stigmas and legal restrictions that inhibit opportunities to rebuild someone's life after paying a debt to society.

Such was the case for Casey Irwin, who struggled to find a job or a landlord willing to rent to her because of her felony record. Frustrated and discouraged, Irwin made desperate choices that led her back to a prison cell.

"I've made mistakes. As human beings, that's just the nature of the beast—we get to make mistakes. But I've made a lot of choices now that have contributed to my success, and I feel as if some of those aren't being rewarded because I still have that label as a felon. I'm still a normal human being: I need a place to eat, sleep and work," said Irwin, who turned her life around, was given second chances and is now the general manager of a local franchise of a national fast-food restaurant chain.

"All of those things have been difficult to obtain, but I've done it. I want to make my community a better place. We need to make something happen so that when the debt is paid, the debt is paid. I'm thankful somebody gave me a second chance. I'm excited to share my story because I know there are many other people who need a second chance, too. I hope that when you see people who have barriers, you will unlock a door for them as well."

Sentencing reform is gaining momentum in state legislatures and in Congress. This brings hope to people like Irwin, who are still paying for crimes long after serving their sentences. (Photo via ANS)

"Casey talked a lot about her individual choices, and we are here thinking about some of the systemic choices that have been made over the past few decades that put us in the age we're in now: this era of mass incarceration," said Ngozi Ndulue, with the NAACP. 'Second Chance Month' and the decision of all these organizations to come together ... to expand opportunities for people with criminal records is an example of a different choice that we are making."

The desire for change and agreement on the issues raised by "Second Chance Month" is bringing together leaders and organizations that might not agree on many other issues.

"The ideological diversity of the group here today shows how important this issue is and how we need to continue criminal justice and re-entry reform," said Mark Holden, with Koch Industries Inc. "In our society today, we need to find more areas where we do agree, and work together to make good happen. Making meaningful changes to re-entry and giving someone a second chance starts with all of us. We need to support a culture of opportunity to give people returning from prison a chance to lead productive and purposeful lives."

Click here to continue reading.







SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News

Tennessee Library Director Fired after Allegedly Trying to Sabotage Kirk Cameron Event

Watch: Remarkable 9-Week MRI Reveals Who Is Targeted By the Abortion Pill

Wyoming Abortion Ban Becomes Law, Protects Babies Starting at Conception

After 2nd Attack, Pregnancy Care Center CEO Calls Out FBI, Justice Department for Failure to Act

Biden Administration 'Days Away' from Reversing Campus Religious Freedom Rule

Surprise Trump Grand Jury Witness Revealed

State Republicans Gain Historic Power after Louisiana Democrat Switches Parties

Populist Win: Anti-Globalist Farmers Movement Wins Even More Dutch Senators Than Expected, Are Now Largest Party

New Angel Studios Movie 'His Only Son' Makes Crowdfunding History

19 'Freedom-Loving States' Take Action: Form Anti-ESG Alliance

Mississippi Passes Bill to Protect Children from Digital Pornography

Study: America's Teens Are Dumber Than They've Been In 100 Years

Netflix Show Targeting Preschoolers Pushes Gender Ideology with 'Nonbinary' Character, Then Netflix Drops It

New Student-Led 'Red Guard' Installed in Maine School District Causes Fury at Board Meeting

Representative Comer: As Many As 7 Bidens May Have Received 'Significant Amounts of Money From Communist China'

Oversight Committee Discovers Unreported Funds Biden Family Business Received While Joe Biden Was VP

Report: More Caught Illegally Crossing Southern Border in Fiscal 2022 Than during Entire Trump Presidency

Influencer Destiny Albritton Reads the Bible to Millions on TikTok

Give Him 15: Our Prayers Can Turn A Nation

Biden Admin's Washing Machine Proposal Under Fire; Gas Stove Update Called 'Essentially an Outright Ban'



Search the Articles Archives

Keyword:  
Author:  
Words Posted On:  
Day Month Year



BCN Plus

Follow BCN on Twitter
Are You Praying for Our Government Leaders?
BCN Staff

Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner


Aimee Herd
Aimee Herd, Editor


BCN Plus
Are You Praying for President Trump?
 
 

All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.


Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.

editor@breakingchristiannews.com