The Second Chance Act is a US bill that aims to rehabilitate non-violent criminals by providing job training, substance abuse counseling, and possibly removing the stigma of a previous conviction. The 2007 act created a grant program for prisoner return programs and diversionary programs, while the 2009 act allows first-time nonviolent offenders to have their conviction expunged from the record after meeting certain conditions. Both acts address the challenge of reintegrating offenders into society.
The Second Chance Act may refer to one of two US bills introduced in the US Congress between 2007 and 2009. Both acts concern the rehabilitation of criminals following non-violent crimes. The Second Chance Act of 2007 was signed into law by President George Bush in 2007 and provided rehabilitation and training opportunities for first offenders after completing all requirements of a criminal sentence. The Second Chance Act of 2009 was introduced by Representative Charles Rangel and allows first-time nonviolent offenders to have their criminal records expunged after meeting a number of conditions. The 2009 version of the Second Chance Act remains under Congressional review as of the end of 2010.
The purpose of both bills is to address a serious challenge posed by the reintegration of offenders into society. Experts suggest that those convicted of a crime find it difficult to find a legal path through life after incarceration. Many juvenile offenders have lost employment opportunities and vocational training, and a high proportion suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. Both versions of the Second Chance Act attempt to facilitate a legitimate existence after conviction by providing job training, substance abuse counseling, and possibly removing the stigma of a previous conviction.
The Second Chance Act of 2007 was a new authorization of an earlier bill known as the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. It created a grant program that allowed funding to be diverted to prisoner return programs that would help some offenders to reintegrate into society after prison. In addition to providing funds for inmate programs, the law also provides grants for diversionary programs that would allow nonviolent offenders to undergo supervised treatment as an alternative to prison. Other provisions of the bill allow for the creation of job placement programs and post-incarceration mentorship services to help ex-offenders settle into lawful life.
The 2009 bill of the same name gives first-time nonviolent offenders the ability to have their conviction expunged from the record. This bill requires that candidates have never been convicted of a violent crime or a crime other than the one in question. In addition, it must be demonstrated that the candidate has completed all court-ordered rehabilitation programs and has remained free of the use of illegal substances for at least one year and has completed at least one year of verified community service. If a convict meets all of these conditions and has a high school diploma or certificate of equivalence, he can be exonerated from the sentence.
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