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Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention
To reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, and for other purposes.
Other Bill Titles (11 more)Hide Other Bill Titles- Official: To reauthorize the grant program for reentry of offenders into the community in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, to improve reentry planning and implementation, and for other purposes. as introduced.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention as enacted.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007 as enacted.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention as passed senate.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007 as passed senate.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention as passed house.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007 as passed house.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention as reported to house.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007 as reported to house.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention as introduced.
- Short: Second Chance Act of 2007 as introduced.
4/9/2008--Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 11, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here, with changes reflecting enrollment corrections.)
Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention or the Second Chance Act of 2007 -
(Sec. 5) Requires the Attorney General, not later than January 31 of each year, to submit all reports required by this Act during the preceding year to the Judiciary Committees of Congress.
Title I: Amendments Related To The Omnibus Crime Control And Safe Streets Act of 1968 - Subtitle A: Improvements to Existing Programs -
(Sec. 101) Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to reauthorize, rewrite, and expand provisions for adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects to provide expanded services to offenders and their families for reentry into society. Sets forth provisions relating to grant applications, requirements for grants, priorities in awarding grants, and reentry plan performance measurements. Requires grant recipients to:
(1) develop comprehensive strategic reentry plans containing measurable annual and five-year performance outcomes; and
(2) establish or empower reentry task forces to promote lower recidivism. Limits the federal share of a grant to 50% of the project funded under such grant.
Authorizes the Attorney General to provide for the establishment of a National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center to collect data and assist grantees in carrying out offender reentry programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010. Limits funding for technical assistance and training to not more than 3% or less than 2% of available funds. Requires the Attorney General to ensure that grants are distributed equitably among the geographical regions and between urban and rural populations, including Indian tribes.
(Sec. 102) Requires states receiving funds under the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program to provide aftercare services, including case management services and other support services. Requires the Attorney General to conduct a study on the use and effectiveness of funds used for aftercare services.
(Sec. 103) Revises the definition of "violent offender" for purposes of the drug court grant program to include an offender who has been convicted of an offense punishable by a prison term of more than one year. Requires grantees to adopt such revised definition within three years after the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise regulations to incorporate the revised definition.
(Sec. 104) Authorizes the use of violent offender truth-in-sentencing grant funds under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 for offender reentry demonstration projects. Subtitle B: New and Innovative Programs To Improve Offender Reentry Services -
(Sec. 111) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants up to $500,000 to establish state, local, and tribal reentry courts to monitor offenders and provide them with access to comprehensive reentry services and programs, including programs for drug and alcohol testing and assessment for treatment. Requires grantees to report annually to the Attorney General on the activities of reentry courts.
(Sec. 112) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to state, tribal, and local prosecutors for drug treatment programs that are alternatives to imprisonment.
(Sec. 113) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants for family substance abuse treatment alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent parent drug offenders and for prison-based family treatment programs for incarcerated parents of minor children.
(Sec. 114) Authorizes the Attorney General to carry out a grant program to evaluate methods to improve academic and vocational education for offenders in prison, jails, and juvenile facilities.
(Sec. 115) Directs the Attorney General to make grants for providing technology career training to prisoners.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
Title II: Enhanced Drug Treatment And Mentoring Grant Programs - Subtitle A: Drug Treatment -
(Sec. 201) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to:
(1) improve drug treatment for federal inmates; and
(2) reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs by long-term substance abusers while incarcerated or during periods of parole or court supervision. Requires the Attorney General to submit to Congress:
(1) an interim report by September 30, 2009, on the best practices for substance abuse treatment in prisons and treatment of long-term substance abusers; and
(2) a final report by September 30, 2010, on funded programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
Subtitle B: Mentoring -
(Sec. 211) Requires the Attorney General to make grants to nonprofit organizations for providing mentoring and other transitional services for reintegrating offenders into the community.
(Sec. 212) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide mentoring, job training and placement services, and other services to assist certain non-violent offenders in obtaining and retaining employment.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
(Sec. 213) Requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to:
(1) adopt and implement a policy allowing the continuation of mentoring services to offenders after their release from prison; and
(2) report to Congress by September 30, 2009, on the implementation of such policy.
(Sec. 214) Requires the Director to discontinue the Standardized Chapel Library project or any other project that limits prisoner access to reading and other educational material. Subtitle C: Administration of Justice Reforms - Chapter 1: Improving Federal Offender Reentry -
(Sec. 231) Requires the Attorney General, in coordination with the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, to establish a federal prisoner reentry initiative to prepare prisoners for release and successful reintegration into the community.
Requires the Director to assist prisoners in obtaining identification documents (e.g., birth certificates and social security cards) prior to release from prison.
Directs the Attorney General to modify the policies and procedures of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for transition of offenders into the community.
Expands the duties of the Director to include reentry planning procedures to provide federal prisoners with information on health and nutrition, employment, literacy and education, and other matters to assist in reentry into the community. Requires the Director to report to the Judiciary Committees of Congress annually on:
(1) the progress of the Bureau of Prisons in responding to the reentry needs and deficits of inmates; and
(2) recidivism reduction. Requires the adoption of performance measures and goals for reentry and recidivism reduction programs of the Bureau of Prisons.
Requires the Attorney General to:
(1) take steps to educate employers on initiatives for hiring former federal, state, or local prisoners; and
(2) conduct a pilot program for removing nonviolent elderly offenders (not less than age 65) from prison and placing them on home detention. Requires the Bureau of Prisons to ensure prisoners in community confinement facilities continued access to medical care.
Authorizes the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, in consultation with the Attorney General, to establish the Federal Remote Satellite Tracking and Reentry Training (ReStart) program to promote the effective reentry into the community of high risk individuals (i.e., individuals who violated terms of release or are at a high risk of recidivism). Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
(Sec. 232) Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on DOJ practices and policies for the use of physical restraints on pregnant female prisoners.
Chapter 2: Reentry Research -
(Sec. 241) Authorizes the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Standards to conduct research on juvenile and adult offender reentry.
(Sec. 242) Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to study parole and post-supervision revocation data and community safety issues.
(Sec. 243) Authorizes the Attorney General to collect data and develop best practices for coordinating the efforts of state correctional departments and child protection agencies to ensure the safety and support of children of incarcerated parents and the support of relationships between incarcerated parents and their children. Expresses the sense of Congress that states and other entities should use the best practices developed by the Attorney General to protect children of incarcerated parents.
(Sec. 244) Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to public and private research entities to evaluate the effectiveness of depot naltrexone for the treatment of heroin addiction.
(Sec. 245) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010. Chapter 3: Correctional Reforms to Existing Law -
(Sec. 251) Amends federal criminal code prerelease provisions to expand the authority of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to place prisoners in a community corrections facility. Requires the Director to report to the Judiciary Committees of Congress on the use of community corrections facilities and issue regulations on placement of offenders in such facilities.
Prohibits courts from entering orders requiring that a sentence of imprisonment be served in a community corrections facility.
(Sec. 252) Redefines "residential substance abuse treatment" for offenders to allow:
(1) an extended treatment period; and
(2) the use of pharmocotherapies.
(Sec. 253) Expands the authority of the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to contract for reentry services for offenders.
Chapter 4: Miscellaneous Provisions -
(Sec. 261) Amends the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 to extend the date for the report of the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission on the impacts of prison rape, thus extending the Commission's termination date.
... morehide bill summarySee Full Bill Text
Sponsor
- Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
- and 93 Co-Sponsors
- Rep. Shelley Berkley [D, NV-1]
- Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28]
- Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3]
- Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9]
- Rep. Robert Brady [D, PA-1]
- Rep. Corrine Brown [D, FL-3]
- Rep. Christopher Cannon [R, UT-3]
- Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
- Rep. Russ Carnahan [D, MO-3]
- Rep. Julia Carson [D, IN-7]
- Rep. Steven Chabot [R, OH-1]
- Rep. Donna Christensen [D, VI-0]
- Rep. Yvette Clarke [D, NY-11]
- Rep. William Clay [D, MO-1]
- Rep. Howard Coble [R, NC-6]
- Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
- Rep. K. Michael Conaway [R, TX-11]
- Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
- Rep. Jerry Costello [D, IL-12]
- Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]
- Rep. Thomas Davis [R, VA-11]
- Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1]
- Rep. William Delahunt [D, MA-10]
- Rep. Vernon Ehlers [R, MI-3]
- Rep. Keith Ellison [D, MN-5]
- Rep. Philip English [R, PA-3]
- Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51]
- Rep. James Forbes [R, VA-4]
- Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
- Rep. Trent Franks [R, AZ-2]
- Rep. Jim Gerlach [R, PA-6]
- Rep. Wayne Gilchrest [R, MD-1]
- Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9]
- Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
- Rep. Luis Gutierrez [D, IL-4]
- Rep. Alcee Hastings [D, FL-23]
- Rep. Darrell Issa [R, CA-49]
- Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
- Rep. William Jefferson [D, LA-2]
- Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4]
- Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30]
- Rep. Stephanie Jones [D, OH-11]
- Rep. Walter Jones [R, NC-3]
- Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1]
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10]
- Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
- Rep. Barbara Lee [D, CA-9]
- Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5]
- Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D, CA-16]
- Rep. Betty McCollum [D, MN-4]
- Rep. Thaddeus McCotter [R, MI-11]
- Rep. James McDermott [D, WA-7]
- Rep. Michael McNulty [D, NY-21]
- Rep. Gregory Meeks [D, NY-6]
- Rep. Charles Melancon [D, LA-3]
- Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald [D, CA-37]
- Rep. Dennis Moore [D, KS-3]
- Rep. Gwen Moore [D, WI-4]
- Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8]
- Rep. Sue Myrick [R, NC-9]
- Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
- Rep. Eleanor Norton [D, DC-0]
- Rep. Edward Pastor [D, AZ-4]
- Rep. Donald Payne [D, NJ-10]
- Rep. Mike Pence [R, IN-6]
- Rep. Joseph Pitts [R, PA-16]
- Rep. Todd Platts [R, PA-19]
- Rep. David Price [D, NC-4]
- Rep. James Ramstad [R, MN-3]
- Rep. Charles Rangel [D, NY-15]
- Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16]
- Rep. Michael Rogers [R, AL-3]
- Rep. Michael Rogers [R, MI-8]
- Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger [D, MD-2]
- Rep. Bobby Rush [D, IL-1]
- Rep. Loretta Sanchez [D, CA-47]
- Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-29]
- Rep. Jean Schmidt [R, OH-2]
- Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]
- Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner [R, WI-5]
- Rep. José Serrano [D, NY-16]
- Rep. Christopher Shays [R, CT-4]
- Rep. John Shimkus [R, IL-19]
- Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
- Rep. Hilda Solis [D, CA-32]
- Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
- Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13]
- Rep. Bennie Thompson [D, MS-2]
- Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
- Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
- Rep. Melvin Watt [D, NC-12]
- Rep. Peter Welch [D, VT-0]
- Rep. Frank Wolf [R, VA-10]
Amendments
This bill has no amendments.
Amendments to H.R.1593
| Number | Status | Purpose |
|---|
Bill Status
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| Introduced |  | Voted on by House | | Voted on by Senate | | Considered By President | | This Bill Has Become Law |
| March 20, 2007 | November 13, 2007 | March 11, 2008 | April 09, 2008 | April 09, 2008 |
Latest Vote
| November 13, 2007Roll call number 1083 in the House | |||
| Question: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 1593 “Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention” or the “Second Chance Act of 2007”. | |||
| Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 2/3 (66%) | Percentage of 'aye' votes: 80% | Result: Passed | |
Democrats Voting 'Aye'
Rep. Gary Ackerman [D, NY-5]Rep. Thomas Allen [D, ME-1]
Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4]
Rep. Robert Andrews [D, NJ-1]
Rep. Michael Arcuri [D, NY-24]
Rep. Joe Baca [D, CA-43]
Rep. Brian Baird [D, WA-3]
Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D, WI-2]
Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12]
Rep. Melissa Bean [D, IL-8]
Rep. Xavier Becerra [D, CA-31]
Rep. Shelley Berkley [D, NV-1]
Rep. Howard Berman [D, CA-28]
Rep. Robert Berry [D, AR-1]
Rep. Timothy Bishop [D, NY-1]
Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3]
Rep. Dan Boren [D, OK-2]
Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3]
Rep. Frederick Boucher [D, VA-9]
Rep. F. Allen Boyd [D, FL-2]
Rep. Nancy Boyda [D, KS-2]
Rep. Robert Brady [D, PA-1]
Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1]
Rep. Corrine Brown [D, FL-3]
Rep. George Butterfield [D, NC-1]
Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23]
Rep. Michael Capuano [D, MA-8]
Rep. Dennis Cardoza [D, CA-18]
Rep. Russ Carnahan [D, MO-3]
Rep. Christopher Carney [D, PA-10]
Rep. Kathy Castor [D, FL-11]
Rep. Ben Chandler [D, KY-6]
Rep. Yvette Clarke [D, NY-11]
Rep. William Clay [D, MO-1]
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver [D, MO-5]
Rep. James Clyburn [D, SC-6]
Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]
Rep. John Conyers [D, MI-14]
Rep. Jim Cooper [D, TN-5]
Rep. Jim Costa [D, CA-20]
Rep. Jerry Costello [D, IL-12]
Rep. Joe Courtney [D, CT-2]
Rep. Robert Cramer [D, AL-5]
Rep. Joseph Crowley [D, NY-7]
Rep. Henry Cuellar [D, TX-28]
Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]
Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7]
Rep. Lincoln Davis [D, TN-4]
Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53]
Rep. Peter DeFazio [D, OR-4]
Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1]
Rep. William Delahunt [D, MA-10]
Rep. Rosa DeLauro [D, CT-3]
Rep. Norman Dicks [D, WA-6]
Rep. John Dingell [D, MI-15]
Rep. Lloyd Doggett [D, TX-25]
Rep. Joe Donnelly [D, IN-2]
Rep. Thomas Edwards [D, TX-17]
Rep. Keith Ellison [D, MN-5]
Rep. Brad Ellsworth [D, IN-8]
Rep. Rahm Emanuel [D, IL-5]
Rep. Eliot Engel [D, NY-17]
Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA-14]
Rep. Bob Etheridge [D, NC-2]
Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-17]
Rep. Chaka Fattah [D, PA-2]
Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51]
Rep. Barney Frank [D, MA-4]
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8]
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY-20]
Rep. Charles Gonzalez [D, TX-20]
Rep. Barton Gordon [D, TN-6]
Rep. Raymond Green [D, TX-29]
Rep. Al Green [D, TX-9]
Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7]
Rep. Luis Gutierrez [D, IL-4]
Rep. John Hall [D, NY-19]
Rep. Phil Hare [D, IL-17]
Rep. Jane Harman [D, CA-36]
Rep. Alcee Hastings [D, FL-23]
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin [D, SD-0]
Rep. Brian Higgins [D, NY-27]
Rep. Baron Hill [D, IN-9]
Rep. Rubén Hinojosa [D, TX-15]
Rep. Mazie Hirono [D, HI-2]
Rep. Paul Hodes [D, NH-2]
Rep. Tim Holden [D, PA-17]
Rep. Rush Holt [D, NJ-12]
Rep. Michael Honda [D, CA-15]
Rep. Darlene Hooley [D, OR-5]
Rep. Steny Hoyer [D, MD-5]
Rep. Jay Inslee [D, WA-1]
Rep. Steve Israel [D, NY-2]
Rep. Jesse Jackson [D, IL-2]
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D, TX-18]
Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30]
Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4]
Rep. Stephanie Jones [D, OH-11]
Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8]
Rep. Paul Kanjorski [D, PA-11]
Rep. Marcy Kaptur [D, OH-9]
Rep. Patrick Kennedy [D, RI-1]
Rep. Dale Kildee [D, MI-5]
Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick [D, MI-13]
Rep. Ronald Kind [D, WI-3]
Rep. Ron Klein [D, FL-22]
Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10]
Rep. Nicholas Lampson [D, TX-22]
Rep. James Langevin [D, RI-2]
Rep. Tom Lantos [D, CA-12]
Rep. Rick Larsen [D, WA-2]
Rep. John Larson [D, CT-1]
Rep. Barbara Lee [D, CA-9]
Rep. Sander Levin [D, MI-12]
Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5]
Rep. Daniel Lipinski [D, IL-3]
Rep. David Loebsack [D, IA-2]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D, CA-16]
Rep. Nita Lowey [D, NY-18]
Rep. Stephen Lynch [D, MA-9]
Rep. Tim Mahoney [D, FL-16]
Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D, NY-14]
Rep. Edward Markey [D, MA-7]
Rep. James Marshall [D, GA-8]
Rep. Jim Matheson [D, UT-2]
Rep. Doris Matsui [D, CA-5]
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [D, NY-4]
Rep. Betty McCollum [D, MN-4]
Rep. James McDermott [D, WA-7]
Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3]
Rep. Mike McIntyre [D, NC-7]
Rep. Jerry McNerney [D, CA-11]
Rep. Michael McNulty [D, NY-21]
Rep. Kendrick Meek [D, FL-17]
Rep. Gregory Meeks [D, NY-6]
Rep. Charles Melancon [D, LA-3]
Rep. Michael Michaud [D, ME-2]
Rep. George Miller [D, CA-7]
Rep. R. Bradley Miller [D, NC-13]
Rep. Harry Mitchell [D, AZ-5]
Rep. Alan Mollohan [D, WV-1]
Rep. Dennis Moore [D, KS-3]
Rep. Gwen Moore [D, WI-4]
Rep. Christopher Murphy [D, CT-5]
Rep. Patrick Murphy [D, PA-8]
Rep. John Murtha [D, PA-12]
Rep. Jerrold Nadler [D, NY-8]
Rep. Grace Napolitano [D, CA-38]
Rep. Richard Neal [D, MA-2]
Rep. David Obey [D, WI-7]
Rep. John Olver [D, MA-1]
Rep. Solomon Ortiz [D, TX-27]
Rep. Frank Pallone [D, NJ-6]
Rep. William Pascrell [D, NJ-8]
Rep. Edward Pastor [D, AZ-4]
Rep. Donald Payne [D, NJ-10]
Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D, CO-7]
Rep. Collin Peterson [D, MN-7]
Rep. Earl Pomeroy [D, ND-0]
Rep. David Price [D, NC-4]
Rep. Nick Rahall [D, WV-3]
Rep. Charles Rangel [D, NY-15]
Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16]
Rep. Laura Richardson [D, CA-37]
Rep. Ciro Rodriguez [D, TX-23]
Rep. Mike Ross [D, AR-4]
Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9]
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard [D, CA-34]
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger [D, MD-2]
Rep. Bobby Rush [D, IL-1]
Rep. Timothy Ryan [D, OH-17]
Rep. John Salazar [D, CO-3]
Rep. Linda Sanchez [D, CA-39]
Rep. John Sarbanes [D, MD-3]
Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9]
Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-29]
Rep. Allyson Schwartz [D, PA-13]
Rep. David Scott [D, GA-13]
Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]
Rep. José Serrano [D, NY-16]
Rep. Joe Sestak [D, PA-7]
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1]
Rep. Brad Sherman [D, CA-27]
Rep. Heath Shuler [D, NC-11]
Rep. Albio Sires [D, NJ-13]
Rep. Ike Skelton [D, MO-4]
Rep. Louise Slaughter [D, NY-28]
Rep. Victor Snyder [D, AR-2]
Rep. Hilda Solis [D, CA-32]
Rep. Zackary Space [D, OH-18]
Rep. John Spratt [D, SC-5]
Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13]
Rep. Bart Stupak [D, MI-1]
Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13]
Rep. John Tanner [D, TN-8]
Rep. Ellen Tauscher [D, CA-10]
Rep. Bennie Thompson [D, MS-2]
Rep. C. Michael Thompson [D, CA-1]
Rep. John Tierney [D, MA-6]
Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10]
Rep. Niki Tsongas [D, MA-5]
Rep. Mark Udall [D, CO-2]
Rep. Tom Udall [D, NM-3]
Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8]
Rep. Nydia Velazquez [D, NY-12]
Rep. Peter Visclosky [D, IN-1]
Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D, FL-20]
Rep.
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Displaying 1-30 of 57 total comments.
Does anyone know when this bill is going to be voted on in the Senate? If anyone has any information on this bill, please let me know.
Senators and Congressmen,
Please pass these bills. They will help out good people who have made one mistake and are now serving prison terms longer than necessary. There is already something in place for drug dealers and alcohoics. What about white collar crimes. Most of these people are in this mess and they didn't even know they were committing a crime. This tells me that the government is willing to help out drug dealers and not people who committed a much less violent crime. Please take this into consideration.
i am also looking for the same answer Senators get off your butts and do whats necessary to act on this bill.
I agree, I am all for second chances but this bill needs to open up and include more, like for people charged with talking on the computer. 10 yrs, no victim. These people could be working on teather and not having to be a burden to taxpayers. I also think this law is more for letting the aging prison population out as they are costing to much for meds.
THINK ABOUT THIS; A MAN HAS BEEN A CITY FIREMAN FOR 7 YEARS. BEFORE THAT HE WAS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE COUNTY SINCE HE WAS OLD ENOUGH TO BECOME ONE. HE HAS RECIEVED FIREMAN OF THE YEAR FOR TWO YEARS STRAIGHT, AT 30 YEARS OLD THE YOUNGEST EVER TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD. HE IS AN EMT, WORKS THE JAWS OF LIFE, ON THE HASMAT TEAM, CPR INSTRUCTOR, FOUNDING FATHER OF THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY IN HIS CITY AND TRAINING OFFICER FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY. RAISED 11,000.00 FOR 911 FIREMAN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS MAN GETS AN UGLY DIVORCE FROM THE MOTHER OF HIS TWO CHILDREN, SHE HAD MAJOR MENTAL PROBLEMS. HE GETS CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN, BUT MEETS A GIRL AND GETS INVOLVED IN A DRUG CONSPIRACY WITH A SO CALLED FRIEND. HE HAS BEEN TOLD THIS WILL BRING IN A LOT OF MONEY AND YOU WANT HAVE TO DO IT LONG. AFTER GETTING INVOLVED HE REALIZES HOW DEEP THIS IS AND THE LAW OFFICER IS ALSO WORKING BOTH ENDS OF THE FENCE TAKING THE MONEY, VIDEO THE TRANSACTIONS AND ALSO USING DRUGS. SCARED TO GET OUT HE CAN'T GO LEFT OR RIGHT BECAUSE A HIT MAN HAS ALREADY COME TO KILL HIM ONCE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD HIS LIFE WAS SPARED. THE DRUG RING HAD BEEN GOING FOR 3 YEARS HE HAD BEEN IN ONLY 6 MONTHS BUT GOT THE SAME TIME AS SOME THAT WERE IN FROM THE BEGINNING. WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR SYSTEM. THE JUDGE SAYS "WE ALWAYS SEEM TO JUST STUMBLE IN THE WRONG CROWD," BUT CHOSES TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF THIS ONE. WHILE WE AS TAX PAYERS ARE PAYING FOR WHAT THE JUDGE FEELS IS A GOOD SENTENCE, A MAN IS WASTING AWAY IN PRISON FOR 5 YEARS WITH A WIFE AND CHILDREN WAITING AND NEEDING HIM AT HOME. HE HAS THE BEST RECORD EVER RECORDED ON HOUSE ARREST FOR THE 11 MONTHS BEFORE HE WENT TO PRISON, AND EXCEPTEE JESUS IN HIS HEART AND WENT TO CHURCH EVERY SERVICE PLAYING IN THE BAND AND SINGING ON THE WORSHIP TEAM, PLUS WORKING WITH THE PASTOR. DOES HE DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE?????????
This Bill needs to be passed to let non-violent prisoners out and be rehabbed, and they can still work instead of being in a prison that does not rehab them, they take rehab courses at nite. These people are not athreat to society.
WE AS TAX PAYERS ARE BEING ROBBED BY THE SENTENCES THE JUDGES ARE PLACING ON CRIMES THAT SHOULD BE PLACED ON HOUSE ARREST OR PROBATION. EVERYONE IS DUE A SECOND CHANCE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CRIMES SUCH AS MURDER, RAPE, CHILD MOLESTATION, ETC. WHEN THE CRIME IS A NONVIOLENT FIRST OFFENCE YOU SHOULD LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE PERSON AND WHAT THEIR LIFE CONSIST OF BEFORE THE CRIME. DON'T PUT A FIRST TIME DRUG DEALER/USER IN PRISON FOR 5 OR MORE YEARS WHEN HE/SHE CAN BE MONITORED OTHER WAYS THAT WILL NOT COST OUR NATION A FORTUNE. WHEN ON PROBATION YOU ARE CHECKED FREQUENTLY WITH A DRUG TEST. HOW CAN YOU MESS UP? USE OUR TAX DOLLARS FOR THINGS MORE IMPORTANT SUCH AS EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN TO A POINT THEY WON'T TRY THESE ROUTES.
I BELEIVE THAT EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THEIR CRIMES. NOW MURDERS, PEDIFIERS AND RAPIST,I CAN'T SEE PUTTING THEM BACK IN THE COMMUNITY.
I TOTALLY AGREE WE NEED TO TAKE CONSIDERATION IN THE CRIME AND IF IT IS A NONVIOLENT FIRST OFFENCE, THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE. YOU TAKE SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD A GOOD BACKGROUD, WORKED A GOOD JOB, HELPED THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY AND MET SOMEONE AFTER A DIVORCE THAT GOT HIM INVOLVED IN A DRUG CONSPIRACY THAT SEEMED LIKE IT WOULD BRING IN SOME MUCH NEEDED MONEY TO END UP WITH NO MONEY TO SHOW FOR, BUT A 5 YEAR SENTENCE FOR A CRIME THAT HE WAS ONLY INVOLVED IN FOR 6 MONTHS. THERE ARE CHILDREN AND A WIFE AT HOME THAT WE AS TAX PAYERS ARE HAVING TO SUPPORT NOT TO MENTION WHAT IT IS COSTING US TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE IN PRISON. THERE ARE OTHER MEANS OF PUNISHMENT THAT WON'T COST THE TAX PAYER SO MUCH AND WILL MONITOR THE SAME AS IN A FEDERAL PRISON CAMP. THIS WAY THEY CAN WORK AND GET PAID ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN FAMILY. I SUGGEST YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE BACKGROUNDS OF THESE FEDERAL PRISONERS. IF THEY HAVE KEPT A STEADY JOB, WORKED IN THE COMMUNITY AND ONLY MADE A MISTAKE CHANCES ARE THEY WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN AND IF THEY DO THEY WON'T BE A FIRST OFFENDER. I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL PAPER WHERE A KILLER WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON AND THE NEXT WEEK HE KILLED 6 PEOPLE. WE NEED TO SAVE ROOM IN OUR PRISONS FOR THIS TYPE PERSON AND THE CHILD MOLESTERS, RAPIST, PEOPLE WHO HURT OUR ELDERLY. GIVE SECOND CHANCES WHERE THEY ARE DUE. THESE MEN ARE WASTING AWAY THEIR LIFE IN PRISON WHILE THE REAL CRIMINAL IS ON THE STREETS.
This should have been passed long ago.
We all know the law is crooked everywhere,
in addition, most people or set up! To me there is
no such thing as a pusher, just customers.
We are our own keepers. Have you forgotten
you passed the law against drugs & allowed
there to be drunks out on the road killing
innocent people. That law should have NEVER
been passed. Beings how you could not get it
under control you change the law to look better.
Sorry, you look even worse then you did before.
People need to wake up non-violent first time offenders should be given a second chance, maybe a little education and a chance is all it takes. Most people do the same thing at least once and never get caught...who are we to judge. 13 years for a 1st time drugs offense with no drugs, no money just hear say is a little much wouldn't you think...what if it was your family?
please consider this law.it is a crying shame that all these federal prisoners are locked up all this time but baby rapers get 5 years if that and then a pat on the back to be let out to do the same stuff.what is wrong with this picture?it is a crying shame thats what.please bring back hr3072
This is great news.
Does anyone know what exactly this bill means for a person who committed a white collar crime? It was a first offense and was non violent. Does this bill help first time offenders to get to a halfway house earlier?
My son is in Leavenworth Kansas F.B.O.P, he has been there for two years 2 months his Dad is terinally ill , he is in there for a drug violation , before entering he had been two years clean , is there any hope on him getting out early to spend a short time with his Father?
Consider a man who never committed a crime in his life, but became addicted to internet porn which degerated into child porn. He never created, bought or sold these sleezy pictures. He only LOOKED at them and he is wasting SIX YEARS in a federal prison. He is only guilty of addiction. What a travesty and waste of federal monies.
why federal sentences help better than state ,a book called famm have all the data plus numbers talk a bout being framed anonymous .
Is this bill only for first time offenders and if so - why?? Doesn't everyone getting out of prison deserve a another chance? Maybe this time, they've really learned their lesson and want to be a productive citizen. There are some people that should never be let out - pediphiles, serial rapists.
how long does the president have to sign this?
Has anyone noticed how much it costs the family of the person locked up to call home, buy food that is considered commissary. The federal Government is doing something else with tax money, and robbing the familys of more money that they lock up. Let these people out now!!!!!Please sign this right away President Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The second chance program is needed because my husband has never been in a federal prison and they have him so far from home, we are in California and they have him in Leavenworth, FBOP and i'm out here raising our five children and his Mom is elderly and it's not feasable for her to fly to Kansas. He needs to come home and have a chance to start a new life this month we will celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary and my prayer is that they send him home.
Please pass this because there are so many single parents in need of their spouse. If you sell drugs you will get 10 - 20 years but if you kill someone you can get out in 5 with the help of parole!! Everyone deserves a second chance. I don't think it is any different than white collar crimes.
MY SON HAD NO RECORD OR BEEN IN ANY TROUBLE.DEVOICED 3MONTHS ,NEW GIRL FRIEND 3 WEEKS.MET SOME OF HER FRIENDS AND THEY WERE BEING WATCHED,DEA TASK FORCE,2 HAD LONG HISTORY OF METH,AND ETC. THE GIRL WAS TOLD THAT HE HAD GONE BACK TO HIS EX.SHE WAS MAD AND SAID SOME BAD THINGS TO GET A LESSER SENTENCE.1 GOT 18 MONTHS,1 GOT 42 MONTHS THE GIRL GOT 48AND DID NOT SERVE NEARLY ALL OF IT.SHE GAVE BIRTH TO MY GRANDCHILD WHILE THERE.THEN RELEASED TO A HALHWAY HOUSE FOR 3MONTHS,THEN SHE WAS ALLOWED TO GO HOME FOR 3 MONTHS.MY SON RECIEVED 90 MONTHS.HE WASN'T EVEN THERE WHEN THE BUST HAPPENED. HE WAS AT WORK.IT WAS HER FRIENDS THAT WAS RAIDED. HE WAS FOUND GUILTY BY ASSOSIATION.THE CRIME DID NOT FIT THE TIME.WE NEED MORE JUSTICE,AND CAPS ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE POWER THAT JUDGES HAVE TO ENHANCE A SENTENCE. TIME AND CRIME SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR ALL. MY SON AND YOUR SONS NEED TO HAVE THIS 2ND CHANCE,NOT JUST FOR US,BUT FOR THE KIDS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND NOT TO FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF THEIR PARENTS.HOEQE
could someone please tell me how this will work for people in prison. will they get sentenced reduced? can we get help raising the grandkids? where do we go to find answers?
I am sorry I can't help you. But, I do have the same questions. My guy is in prison for 15 months for something he didn't even know was going on. He would currently get out in December 2008. Halfway house would happen at this point in mid November. Is there any chance that the 12 month thing in the 2nd chance law could help him get out earlier. We desperately need him home. I know we all believe that our loved ones don't belong there and my guy is no different. He does not belong there and desperately needs a 2nd chance. Please help if you have any information.
My people we must continue to stand as one. For as you all know it is together that we are most powerful. It was together that our people fought, went to jail, and even died for our sake. So it is now more than ever that we must stand taller than ever, and keep the fight that they started alive." " 312-794-5335 MR JERRY ROBINSON
MY MOTHER IS A 59 YEAR OLD WOMEN. HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR 20 YRS. HAS NEVER HAD ONE TRAFFIC TICKET. SHE WAS MARRIED TO MY STEPFATHER FOR 30 YRS. AFTER HE WAS WORKING AT THE SAME COMPANY FOR 18 YEARS HE DECIDED TO RETIRED. HE BECAME AN ALCOHOLIC AFTER HIS ONLY SON ALIVE CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AND NEVER CALLED HIM AGAIN. I SAY AGAIN BECAUSE HE WOULD CALL HIM TO ASK HIM FOR MONEY AND NOTHING ELSE. MY STEPFATHER GOT ENVOLVED IN DRUGS ALSO. HE WOULD NOT COME HOME TO SLEEP AND HE EVEN CHEATED ON MY MOTHER WITH A MUCH YOUNGER GIRLS. THE FEDS WERE WATCHING HIM, UNTIL ONE DAY THEY STOPPED HIM AND FOUND MONEY ON HIM. THEY STOPPED MY MOTHER ON THE SAME DAY DRIVING MY CAR THAT MY STEPFATHER STARTED USING AFTER I GOT A NEW CAR MONTHS BEFORE. SHE WAS DRIVING THAT CAR BECAUSE HER CARS AC WAS NOT WORKING AND SHE WAS TAKING CARE OF MY NEW BORN BANY AND MY OLDER SON. THEY FOUND MONEY IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. MY STEPFATHER IS NOT WERE TO BE FOUND AND MY MOTHER HAS BEEN IN PRISON FOR SIX MONTHS AND FOUND GUILTY OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE DRUGS. MY MOTHER WOULD CRY IN COURT EVERY TIME SHE WOULD HERE THE LIES THAT WERE TOLD ABOUT HER FROM THE FEDS IN COURT. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND THE ONLY DAUGHTER TO MY MOTHER. I HAVE NO FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY. MY MOTHER IS INNOCENT OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HER. I KNOW THAT ANYONE WOULD SAY THE SAME THING ABOUTH THEIR LOVED ONES IN PRISON, BUT THIS IS MY REALITY AND THRUTH. PLEASE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT IS TOO UNFARE. HOW CAN THE FEDS WHOM REPRESENT THE GOVERMENT CAN SAY SO MANY LIES ABOUT A PERSON AND BE SO CRUEL. PLEASE WE ALL NEED HELP.
I think there has been enough of tax payers money spent on Federal Inmates. The state funds all transporting expenses of inmates from car rides to airplane flights, we feed, clothe, provide shelter, heat when its cold, and airconditioning when its hot. I fell since the law change to make inmates pay taxes on the drugs they are charged with, the inmates should be made to get a job and pay for their house arrest, random drug testing, and have the taxes owed to the state garnished from their wages. Putting them in prison for 15 to 20 years working for the state for $1.00 or no more than $5.00 is not helping the state out much at all. Think about it, that money could help out with our childrens eduction funding, new highways, repave damaged roads, restore old bridges, so much more instead of raising taxes and gas prices making it harder on society to live. I feel if a prison sentence be given it should be within reason 15 to 20 isn't justice and taking their eduction oportunites is not helping the inmates thats hurting them. Once that inmate has paid his debt to society in prison and needs a job to pay his taxes to the state, probation, or whatever fees he may owe. What is there left to do in society without learning a trade, it is hard enough for a Federal Inmate to get a job with his criminal background.
I would also like for this bill to be passed.I am 28 years,and a single parent of four.My children's father is an x-drug dealer getting ready to serve a eight year sentence.I feel like it is very unfair to those who sell "crack"cocain and getmore time then the ones who sell powder cocain,and other crimanals like pedifiles and those who murder.People do make mistakes,but they learn from them also.If this law makes it through,it would help alot of people out,including us single parents.
This full bill should be passed in order to allow non-violent offenders another chance at life. Without this help, life could become a "catch 22" for someone who is unable to get an honest job, or go to school. I am hoping this full bill and 65% parole will be passed. My grandson is young, and will need all the help he can get. He will work hard at a job, if he can get one that will support him, the fact that a person had no job is what helped to send him on the illegal path he was in.
this bill needs to be passed so families can stay together and grow. children need their parents and parents need their children. people are being punished for knowing about someone having drugs and not going to the police---where's the justice in that? they call it conspiracy- i call it bull. our so-called elected officials get away with far worse crimes, but walk away free or get it thrown under the rug. we need changes in our system. community service, training in jobs and education, and most importantly--counseling in drug AND alcohol. thanks for letting me vent.
Is President Bush going to sign this? From what I have read, it has been sitting on his desk since March 20th. What is taking so long?
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