U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined four other senators to introduce legislation reauthorizing grant programs to provide housing, career training and treatment for drug abuse and mental illness to people released from prison.
The Second Chance Reauthorization Act is designed to reduce recidivism, invest in communities and promote public safety, according to a joint press release issued by Capito and eight other senators supporting the legislation.
“Over 95 percent of incarcerated people will be released at some point,” Capito said in a prepared statement. “The Second Chance Reauthorization Act will allow people reentering society to become successful and productive members of their communities. I am proud to introduce this legislation that will continue to provide resources to evidence-based programs that reduce recidivism rates and promote public safety.”
According to the press release, the legislation would:
• Reauthorize grant programs that provide services and resources for people reentering their communities after incarceration;
• Expand allowable uses for supportive and transitional housing services for individuals reentering the community from prison and jail; and
• Enhance addiction treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders, including peer recovery services, case management, and overdose prevention.
Since its passage 15 years ago, the Second Chance legislation grants totaling $600 million have assisted more than 442,000 people in the United States, translating to $1,357 per person assisted. West Virginia has received more than $5 million in funding through the legislation’s grants.
From 2009 to 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded over 1,100 Second Chance Act grants totaling more than $600 million to states, local and tribal governments, as well as reentry-focused nonprofit organizations. Second Chance grants have been administered to 845 agencies across the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.