WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in introducing the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2013.  The bipartisan legislation is aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reenter their communities. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2013 would strengthen existing programs that provide access to affordable housing, promote employment opportunities, and expand reentry courts. These programs have been successful in Ohio, while reducing recidivism and costs for state and local governments.

“This is about eradicating barriers to the successful reentry into communities and creating opportunities that deter future crime,” Brown said. “By helping former inmates take steps toward becoming successful, productive members of society, this bill recognizes  that it costs more to send someone back to prison than it does to invest in them.” 

Enacted in 2008, the Second Chance Act has provided funding for programs that have proven to reduce recidivism, help former inmates reintegrate successfully into society, and save prison costs for states. In 2011, Brown used his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to reinstate funding for the Second Chance Act after it had been eliminated earlier in the federal appropriations process. Brown successfully negotiated with members of the Conference Committee, which resulted in a final funding level of $63 million for Second Chance programs. 

###