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Bush Signs Legislation Meant to Help Ex-Cons Stay out of Jail

By Emma Schwartz

April 9, 2008 RSS Feed Print

Jail is hardly smooth sailing. But the nation's high level of recidivism shows that most inmates find integrating back into the community just as tough.

That could soon start changing with a measure President Bush signed into law today. Known as the Second Chance Act, the bill provides $330 million in federal funding for an array of programs—from employment services to housing to substance-abuse treatment—aimed at helping prisoners re-enter the community successfully.

With such a major boost in funding, drafters hope the legislation will kick-start more activity on a state and local level and ultimately reshape the conversation on prisons toward re-entry programs. The bill includes $115 million in competitive grants to state and local government as well as private groups to develop comprehensive re-entry programs. It includes an additional $55 million in state and local grants to implement best practices for re-entry programs. There's also money for a pilot program to help nonviolent elderly inmates get out of jail.

The scope of the legislation is significant but so is the coalition behind it. The broad base of political support reaches across ideological lines and is reflected in the measure's sponsors, who range from Democratic Sens. Joseph Biden (Delaware) and Patrick Leahy (Vermont) to Republican Sens. Sam Brownback (Kansas) and Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania).

"The enthusiasm about it is just so high," says Jessica Nickel, director of government affairs for the Council of State Governments. "It's been a true left-right coalition."

—Emma Schwartz

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Bush administration

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Buy Ambien of AL 11:14AM April 05, 2010

Oh my God! My heart breaks for each person that has no other outlet other then this website.I too, am looking for a place for my brother to live and work.He is an ex con, and always looking for a con.Its scary, because though he is my brother and I love him, I cannot allow him in my own house due to his theivery of anything of value,and or medication.I'm terrified when he drinks and does drugs.He needs serious help, but once he gets it, where is he supose to go, or what is he supose to do? I do think that even he deserves another chance, but one with limitations.He can be a loving and giving person, but he needs to be given a chance, and some guidance, along with supervision. Is there such a place around?I do feel terribly for him, but I also need to look at the fact that we both came from the same womb, and I do not have a problem with drugs or crime.He is quick to blame our dead mother for all his problems.Im sorry, I cant go there.I find this unexceptable.I do not work anymore, I have Myelodysplastic syndrome, and am looking forward to a bone marrow transplant, I keeps meds in the house, and am on a limited income.That info is for my own self reasoning as to why I can not even let him in my home.I want to know that he is safe, not going hungry, and have a roof over his head, and able to get up and have a reason to live.But with each passing day, I see that his shoulders start to sag once again, and his eyes no longer have that light in them.I am so at my wits end, and do not know what to do, where to go, or even who to ask. There has got to be a place for non-violent offenders to get back on track, to become a functioning member of society.Does anyone know what I can do for him?

Crystal of MO 1:12PM January 06, 2010

I WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON A YEAR AG0 AN STILL HAVN A HARD TIME FINDING A JOB BUT ONE THING I WILL NOT DO IS GO BACK UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES. DONT GIVE UP AN MAKE THEM HATERS OUT OF LIARS THE ONES WHO SAY WE CANT DO IT LETS PROVE THEM WRONG AN KEEP PUSHIN DOIN WAT WE GOT TO DO TO LIVE PRODUCTIVELY AN ALWAYS KEEP GOD AS #1. WITHOUT FAITH WE HAVE NOTHING,TRYING TO LEAD TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING WILL TAKE US DOWN ROADS WE NO LONGER WISH TO TRAVEL. BUT ALL MY BROTHERS,WHITE,BLACK,MEXICAN,ASIAN ETC WE ALL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON AN THATS STAYIN FREE

OPTIMISTIC of GA 3:54PM January 04, 2010

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