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Second Chance Act

Congress recently approved the Second Chance Act, landmark federal legislation to promote good state and local prisoner reentry policies that will prevent recidivism and homelessness after people leave jails and prisons. A key component of any effective prisoner reentry effort is reconnecting people leaving prison with their families, and helping them find jobs or income from public benefits.

These family stabilization efforts can reduce the likelihood that – due to no other reason besides poverty – families will lose their children to the foster care system. Reducing the number of children who enter the foster care system unnecessarily is better for families, and less costly for government. In short – everyone benefits! For more information on the Second Chance Act, as well as other federal, state, and local prisoner reentry efforts, go to http://www.reentrypolicy.org/.