It will be some time before any change that may be emanating from the new president and his administration in the area of criminal justice becomes evident, but we have some hope that the faith based initiative in the criminal justice arena continues.
For the former president, the faith based initiative was the center piece of his work in criminal justice and that is a good place to start for the new administration; and one hopes they stay with it and perhaps even expand it.
The Second Chance Act is the legislative program—not yet funded—that moves the work of prisoner reentry forward and there might be some differences in how it is administered from the new leadership of the Department of Justice.
Here is an excerpt from the Department of Justice about the Second Chance Act.
“The Second Chance Act was signed into law by President Bush on April 9, 2008. While the appropriations have not been officially counted in the Congressional budget, the House has tentatively appropriated $45 million while the Senate has set aside $20 million.
“Purpose
There are currently more than 2 million people serving sentences in federal and state prisons, and 10-12 million people cycling through local jails every year. Ninety-five percent of all prisoners incarcerated today will eventually be released into our communities, and it is important that we provide them with the resources necessary to not be one of the 66 percent of people whom are rearrested within three years. The Second Chance Act will help ensure that the transition from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful.
“Sponsors
There are 33 cosponsors in the Senate, including Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE), Ranking Judiciary Committee Member Arlen Specter (R-PA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
“In addition, there are 92 cosponsors in the House, including Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL), Chris Cannon (R-UT), John Conyers (D-MI), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Randy Forbes (R-VA), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH), and James Sensenbrenner (R-WI).
“Key Provisions
Demonstration Grants. Provides grants to states and local governments that may be used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Allowable uses of funds include employment services, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims services, and methods to improve release and revocation decisions using risk-assessment tools.
“Mentoring Grants. Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that may be used for mentoring adult offenders or offering transitional services for reintegration into the community.”
Lampstand Foundation website, http://www.lampstandfoundation.org/
"The sinner is at the very heart of Christianity. Nobody is so competent as the sinner in matters of Christianity. Nobody, except the saint." Charles Peguy (1873-1914)
About
- David H. Lukenbill
- I am a California native, married, we have one daughter and live close to the American River with two cats and all the wild critters we can feed. I am a management consultant to nonprofit organizations and have an Associates of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Sacramento City College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Public Administration degree, also from the University of San Francisco.