The Second Chance Act: Options for New York

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the Second Chance Act that was passed in 2008 to address the problem of recidivism. The writer discusses the reasons for this problem and the motivation behind the Second Chance Act, and shows how both are affecting New York in particular. The key stakeholders in this issue in New York are identified, and their roles are explained. An overview is given of what is currently being done in New York regarding this issue, and alternatives that have been advocated under the Second Chance Act are listed. The paper concludes by recommending in-service pre-discharge vocational/educational training for inmates as the most feasible policy for New York and other states to implement.

Outline:
Action Forcing Event
Problem and Organization
Background,Timeline, and Data About the Problem
Environmental Scan/Key Players
Policy Alternatives
Recommended Policy Alternative

From the Paper:

"By passing the Second Chance Act, Congress has made itself a key play in the issue of recidivism in the United States and at the State level. The passing of this legislation illustrates just how concerned Congress is with this problem and the lengths that they would go to address the problem. Given the structure of the Second Chance Act, it is clear that Congress thought that the best way to address this problem was through the states so they provided the states with the means to address the problem locally, where the released offenders will be forced to return upon release. A total of $55 million dollars was appropriated for the States to address this problem. Congress' ultimate goal was to provide a safe way for the released offenders to transition back into normative society without reengaging in criminal activity."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Correctional Association of New York. (2009). Education from the inside, out: The multiple benefits of college programs in prison [press release]. Retrieved online on April 12, 2009 from http://www.correctionalassociation.org/press/advisories/1-28-2009_CA_ Higher_Education_Report.htm
• Council of State Governments Justice Center. (2009). Second Chance Act grants: Guidance for state and local government and Indian tribe applicants [PowerPoint Presentation]. Retrieved online on March 1, 2009 from http://reentrypolicy.org/ government_affairs/second_chance_act
• Harrison, B., & Schehr, R. C. (2004). Offenders and post-release jobs: Variables influencing success and failure. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 39(3), pp. 35-68.
• Horn, M. F. (2007, February). Curbing Recidivism (Editorial). The New York Times Online. Retrieved online on April 16, 2009 from http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res= 9A06EFDC153FF932A35751C0A9619C8B63
• La Vigne, N. G., Davies, E., Palmer, T., & Halberstadt, R. (2008). Release planning for successful reentry: A guide for corrections, service providers, and community groups. Published by the Urban Institute's Justice Policy Center. Report retrieved online on April 1, 2009 from http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=411767

More papers on The Second Chance Act: Options for New York:

• Research Paper # 117771 : "Recidivism and Public Policy"
• Book Review # 133341 : "A Review of "The Second Shift"
• Analytical Essay # 65635 : "New York Times vs. Sullivan"

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