Insights & Information

Recently, the Senate eliminated funding for the Second Chance Act in their version of the FY 12 funding bill for the Department of Justice. In April 2008, the Second Chance Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law. Providing a common sense, evidence-based approach to improving outcomes for people returning to communities from prisons and jails, this legislation authorizes federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services that can help reduce recidivism. Although allocated $100 million in fiscal year 2010, funding for these programs has progressively diminished. In July, the House Appropriations Committee provided $70 million in their fiscal year 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. Although funding was eliminated in the Senate bill, there is still time to restore funding for the program when the House and Senate Appropriations Committees attempt to resolve differences between the two spending bills.

Congressional leaders are expected to meet next week to come to agreement on FY12 funding levels, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has pledged to work to restore Second Chance Act funding through the conference process. To read more about the Senate's funding cut, click here or here. To read more about advocacy against the cut by faith leaders, click here. To reach out to your elected officials and tell them it is urgent that they include $70-100 million in funding for the Second Chance Act for FY2012, click here.

The Council of Advisors to Reduce Recidivism through Employment (CARRE), formed by Safer Foundation, provides opportunities for stakeholders to implement strategies that will reduce barriers to employment and encourage successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. Save the date for CARRE's tenth annual policy conference:

Monday, October 24, 2011
10:00AM - 1:30PM

University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Center East
750 S. Halsted Ave
Chicago, IL 60607

For more info, contact Anthony Lowery
(312) 454-3379
anthony.lowery@saferfoundation.org

Governor Pat Quinn has announced plans to shut down two correctional facilities, Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Murphysboro and Logan Correctional Center, to address a significant budget shortfall. The Department of Corrections (IDOC) houses almost 50,000 inmates but is only designed for 33,000. The John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA) has released a statement expressing concern that, without a reduction in prisoner population, closure of the Logan facility will "likely exacerbate DOC’s overcrowded conditions, jeopardize the safety of inmates and staff, and ultimately cost taxpayers more money." Furthermore, JHA recommends measures to reduce prison populations safely and cost-effectively. To read more, click here.

The Illinois Human Services Commission is holding testimony and seeking testimony to gain understanding and document the impact of FY 2012 Illinois State budget cuts on all sectors of human services, and to gather input on human services for the Budgeting for Results process. Hearing schedule:

Wednesday, September 21
1:00PM - 4:00PM
State Museum
502 South Spring Street
Springfield
 
Thursday, September 22
10:00AM - 1:00PM
United Methodist Children's Home
2023 Richview Road
Mount Vernon (Cancelled)

For more info, click here.

Representative La Shawn Ford invites participation in a public meeting on drug policy reform to reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, instead using fines to fund treatment programs.

September 29, 2011
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Oak Park Village Hall, Council Chamber Room
123 Madison St
Oak Park, Illinois

For more info, click here.

The Shriver Center has released a new report finding that authorities fail to justly screen public housing applicants with criminal records in Illinois.  The report describes how current state policies allow authorities to discriminate against individuals based on prior criminal records, unnecessarily barring them from federally subsidized housing. Authors recommend that authorities set reasonable limits on how far back to look when considering an applicant’s history, end the use of arrests as definitive evidence of criminal activity, establish clearer standards with a basis in federal law for the review of criminal history, and ensure that applicants can overcome criminal record barriers by presenting evidence of mitigating circumstances. To access the full report, click here.

This event has been CANCELLED.  Please contact Monica Velazquez for more info.

Great Lakes ATCC invites you to join a two-day summit that will focus on system, services, and family for individuals transitioning back to their communities from the criminal justice system. The two-day summit will provide a platform for helping professionals to learn and network.

Day 1 – Tuesday, October 25, 2011
University of Illinois at Chicago, Student Center East
750 S. Halsted Ave
Room – Illinois A/B
Chicago, IL 60607

Day 2 – October 26, 2011
Sheridan Correctional Center
4017 E. 2603 Road
Sheridan, IL 60551

To register and find out more info, click here.

Public policy with regard to sex offenders has been a major point of contention in both state and national politics. Current policies often require sex offenders to register as part of a public registry, despite significant research calling into question the effectiveness of such requirements in increasing public safety and deterring sex offenses. A piece by Jamey Dunn in the September issue of Illinois Issues addresses this topic. One recent study found that, while requiring sex offenders to register with police may significantly reduce the chances that they will re-offend, making that same registry information available to the public may lead to higher overall rates of sex crime. Another finds no evidence that sex offender registries are at all effective in increasing public safety. To read more about these studies, click here.

House Bill 298 ushered a change in criminal justice policy when it was signed into law on August 19. The new law grants courts the authority to allow the expungement of arrests not resulting in conviction that follow a prior conviction. Previously, expungement of such arrests following a conviction was not permitted. HB 298 clears the way for much-needed housing, employment, and educational opportunities by essentially removing such arrests from an individual's criminal record. To read an editorial from Protestants for the Common Good lauding HB 298 titled "This is Good Policy", click here.

The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center recently released a guide for policymakers committed to reducing the possibility that individuals on probation will reoffend. This guide provides probation leaders with direction on how to increase community safety and improve compliance among individuals on probation. To access the report, click here.