Second Chance Act of 2007

SECOND CHANCE ACT OF 2007

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Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Second Chance Act.

According to the 2001 census, Wisconsin had the highest incarceration rate for African American males in the country, and I can tell you that this legislation represents a second chance for these convicted felons. You know, becoming a felon is akin to the civic death penalty. Ex-offenders are often lacking a high school diploma, lacking vocational skills. They are drug and alcohol dependent. They are estranged from families. They are homeless. But this legislation not only is a second chance for those felons, but it is a second chance for our communities. Those communities, our States that are tethered to these billion dollar budgets for incarcerating particularly African American men and can't use those billions of dollars for more constructive and productive purposes like job creation and job training, educational and vocational training, and strengthening our families and communities.

Please support this Second Chance Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today In strong support of the Second Chance Act. I would like to thank Congressman Danny Davis for his hard work on this vitally important legislation. In my community, according to 2001, census data, Wisconsin had the highest incarceration rate of African Americans in the nation.

In 2005, there were over 2 million people incarcerated in Federal or State prisons. Nearly 650,000 people are released from prison to our communities each year.

Nearly two-thirds of released prisoners are expected to be rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within three years of release.

It is no secret that high recidivism rates translate into thousands of new crimes each year, many of which can be averted through improved prisoner reentry efforts.

In my district alone, there were approximately 10,308 Milwaukee County Residents incarcerated as of June 2006.

Since 1993 Milwaukee County has experienced nearly a four-fold increase in its recently released incarcerated population.

In 1993 2,191 prisoners were released, compared to 8,147 in 2005.

32 percent of offenders released to Milwaukee County are under the age of 25 at the time of release from prison.

31 percent of the offenders released to Milwaukee County have less than a High School education.

We are seeing an increased use of imprisonment to address the ``War on drugs'' :

We are now incarcerating people at an alarming rate who have never been convicted of violent crimes and who have had no prior convictions.

24 percent of the offenders released to Milwaukee County are in prison for Property crimes; 18 percent Drug crimes; 14 percent violent crimes; 4 percent Sex crimes and 3 percent Other Non-Violent crimes.

Ex-offenders face an automatic uphill battle when released from prison. As a result of being incarcerated, they are denied:

The right to vote:

The U.S has the most restrictive felony voting rights in the World.

In Wisconsin, those in prison, probation or parole are restricted from voting.

Access to public assistance:

Those with felony drug convictions are ineligible for food stamps and TANF services.

Some are not eligible at all for subsidized housing, while all face significant barriers when applying for public housing and subsidies.

Some can't apply for financial aid to get an education:

Felons with drug-related convictions are denied financial aid to attend vocational education classes, college, and other postsecondary education programs.

It is beneficial for an entire community when we provide proper resources and services to ex-offenders.

The Second Chance Act will do just that by:

Directing the Bureau of Prisons to create a Federal Re-Entry program to assist prisoners in successfully returning to their communities.

Authorizing new grant programs to assist states and local governments with drug abuse treatment for those convicted of or facing criminal charges.

Authorizing a new educational program that will improve vocational education programs in prisons, jails and juvenile detention facilities.

Mr. Speaker, it is high time that we change our focus from catching ex-offenders violating parole or probation to providing the adequate resources and programs to help them successfully integrate back into society.

I urge my colleagues to vote for the Second Chance Act.

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