Second Chance Month Spotlight: Progress, Partnerships, and Policy Wins
April is Second Chance Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about both the opportunities and barriers for justice-involved people to obtain a true second chance.
As Second Chance Month comes to a close, we've been reflecting on the policies that have delivered transformative results and helped clear unnecessary obstacles to success for those with past justice-system involvement, opening up doors to new possibilities and looking forward as we continue that work all year long.
Washington on the Forefront of Fair, Safe Criminal Justice Reform Measures with Passage of HB 1169
Sponsored by Representative Tara Simmons (D-Bremerton) and championed by a broad coalition of community organizations, the bill acknowledges that financial obligations disproportionately burden low-income individuals and contribute to a cycle of poverty and recidivism that is detrimental to those individuals and to the safety of Washington communities.
NEW TASK FORCE UNITES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUSTICE SYSTEM FIRST RESPONDERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO URGE CONGRESS TO AID THEIR FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 IN CORRECTIONS SYSTEM
As debate continues over whether to provide emergency relief to state and local jurisdictions to fight COVID-19, Justice Action Network announced a broad coalition of state and local officials—sheriffs, judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, legislators, and corrections administrators—who are sounding the alarm on the need for federal emergency aid to justice systems across the country.