Press Release/News/Criminal Justice

FWD.us Recognizes Start of Second Chance Month

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, FWD.us lifts up Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the harmful collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and unlock opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system. This month is a reminder of the direct impact legal barriers have on families and communities, and why removing those barriers while creating pathways to success is critical to ending the incarceration crisis.

“This Second Chance Month and beyond, we remain committed to working with our partners across the country on efforts to reduce jail and prison populations, and eliminating unjust structural burdens,” said FWD.us President Todd Schulte. “We must continue working to create real opportunity for the people affected by our country’s incarceration crisis.”

This Second Chance Month will feature a number of interactive virtual events throughout the month of April, including Twitter town halls, interactive webinars, new storytelling videos and op-eds to share, the Second Chance Month Virtual Gala, and more. To follow more Second Chance Month updates and digital engagement, look for #SecondChanceMonth on social media and view calendar events here.

Second Chance Month efforts are led by Prison Fellowship, a faith-based nonprofit serving currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families, and an advocate for justice reform. FWD.us has partnered with Prison Fellowship to raise awareness about the legal barriers affecting formerly incarcerated people and their families.

One in two adults (113 million people) living in the United States has had an immediate family member incarcerated. One in seven adults has had an immediate family member incarcerated for at least one year, and one in 34 has had a loved one taken away for 10 years or more.

Almost 2.3 million people are currently incarcerated in America, and 4.5 million people are on probation or parole supervision. Today, approximately 70 million Americans have a criminal record – and there are more than 44,000 documented restrictions affecting where individuals with a criminal record can live, work, vote, study, and do many other things necessary to lead a full and productive life.

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