Full access
Government News
Published Online: 20 August 2004

Bill Would Ease Way for Inmates to Reenter Society

Christine LehmannAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 39, Number 16
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.39.16.0390010
Track CitationsAdd to favorites
Nearly half a million people are released from jails or prisons each year in the United States. When they return to their communities, they face discrimination in jobs, housing, student aid, and child custody.
Human Rights Watch, a New York–based organization that monitors and advocates for human rights for people worldwide, is urging Congress to pass the Second Chance Act of 2004 (HR 4676).
This is a bipartisan legislative effort by Reps. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), and Mark Souder (R-Ind.). The legislation is also supported by President George W. Bush.
“Human Rights Watch has criticized laws and policies that deny the rights of formerly incarcerated people and prevent their successful reintegration into the community. If this legislation is enacted, it will be an important first step in addressing those problems,” stated a press release by the organization.
The Second Chance Act would establish a National Offender Reentry Resource Center to collect and distribute best practices and provide training and support for former inmates. States, local governments, service providers, faith-based organizations, corrections systems, and community organizations would have access to the resource center.
The legislation would also
•
Create a federal task force to review and issue a report on the federal barriers to reintegration into the community.
•
Restrict the ban on federal student loans to only those who commit drug offenses while receiving federal aid.
•
Provide grants to states and local governments to provide housing, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment to returning ex-offenders.
Human Rights Watch hopes if the bill becomes law, it “will serve as an entry point in turning the nation's approach away from excessive retribution and punishments [and] towards rehabilitation and redemption.”
The Second Chance Act of 2004 (HR 4676) can be accessed online at<http://thomas.loc.gov> by typing in the bill name or number. The Human Rights Watch press release and letter to Congress are posted at<http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/06/25/usdom8960_txt.htm>.▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 39 • Number 16 • August 20, 2004
Pages: 10

History

Published online: 20 August 2004
Published in print: August 20, 2004

Notes

Legislation in the House of Representatives calls for renewing and expanding a grant program to help more local communities develop integrated services for former inmates.

Authors

Details

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.