Senate passes the Second Chance Act of 2007

Hello Everyone,

 

The U. S. Senate passed the Second Chance Act tonight. It is now waiting for the President's signature.  We are still planning a press conference for Thursday, March 13, 2008 in Washington D. C.  Please let us know if you would like to add your organization as a sponsor of the press conference.  Please join us or communicate this information to people, organizations, and groups in D. C. to join us.  Here is the media alert.  Thanks Tumia.

 

 

Media Alert

 

Members of Congress, Civil Rights, Social Services and Criminal Justice Groups Call for Criminal Justice Reforms Now

  New Report finds that 1 in 9 Young African American Men are in Jail or   Prison: Shows Urgent Need for Action 

 

Editorial Note:           Members of the Media may conference into the press conference by

                                    calling:   712-432-3900 

 

What:         Members of Congress, civil and criminal justice advocacy groups will hold a

national press conference to  call on the U. S. to pass the Second Chance Act and other criminal justice reforms now.

 

A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts, "1 in 100: Behind Bars in America 2008" shows that 1 percent of U.S. adults are now behind bars.  It's time to make the Second Chance Act of 2007 law.  A bi-partisan U. S. House passed the Second Chance Act of 2007 by 347 to 62.   The Act will provide essential resources for prisoner reentry.

 

According to a new report from the Congressional Research Service,"Offender Reentry:  Correctional Statistics, Reintegration into the Community, and Recidivism," the United States incarcerates more of its citizens than any other nation in the world.  The report also indicates that of the 2.2 million people currently incarcerated, over 95% of offenders currently serving prison sentences will return to the community at some point.

 

In addition to prisoner re-entry, speakers will call attention to solutions to the nation's burgeoning prisons and jails including no-entry or diversion initiatives, sentencing reform, and drug treatment and prevention strategies.

Who:           Members of Congress and a Coalition of Criminal Justice Advocacy Groups

                        Including (Members of Congress schedules depends on timing of votes):

                        Members of Congress                                 Coalition of Criminal Justice and Advocacy Groups

Congressman Danny K. Davis

Congressman John Conyers

                                Congressman Bobby Scott

                                Congressman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Congressman Chris Cannon

Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee

                                Congressman Carolyn Kilpatrick

                                Congressman James Clyburn                                             Former Congressman Jack Kemp

NAACP

TASC's Center for Health and Justice

Legal Action Center

Sentencing Project

Goodwill Industries International

National Alliance to End Homelessness

National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare

United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

Therapeutic Communities of America

When:         Thursday, March 13, 2008, at 12:00 noon. (eastern)

Location:     National Press Club, Washington D.C.  529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor –

                        Washington, DC 20045, Zenger Room

                        Members of the Media may participate in the press conference by calling:

                        Conference Telephone Number:  712-432-3900

                        Please RSVP and call 202-225-5006 for access code.

Contact:     Tumia Romero, 773-533-7520, 202-225-5006 (Wednesday and Thursday), or

(773) 343-0006 (cell), or by email tumia.romero@mail.house.gov (blackberry).