The Second Chance Act of 2007

Floor Speech

THE SECOND CHANCE ACT OF 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 27, 2007)

* Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Second Chance Act which provides assistance to individuals who have been incarcerated, including the expungement of their records.

* Individuals released from prison have no chance of becoming productive members of society because their criminal records prevent employers from considering them for jobs. This leads many of them to return to lives of crime. In an effort to change the dynamic of recidivism, we must remove barriers to employment--particularly criminal records--which hang over the heads of ex-offenders, even those who have been rehabilitated.

* The Second Chance Act allocates $360 million towards programs that would help the ex-offenders adjust to their new environment after their release from prison. Focusing on four different areas: employment, housing, access to health services and families, it would provide a secure setting for the individual and make the transition easier, which would reduce the rate of recidivism.

* Almost two thirds of newly discharged individuals return to their lives of crime within 3 years of their release. This signifies a great number of crimes being committed that could have prevented through effective programs, which is one of the components of this legislation. Billions of dollars are being wasted in the criminal justice system mostly because of the prosecutions of repeat offenders.

* If we do not take the necessary actions to help these individuals, they will be trapped in the cycle of recidivism. We must take action to help them break the cycle.

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