COLLAPSE

Once an individual is released after serving so many number of years, it tends to be hard for them to adjust to living a normal life. They face many barriers such as, "ex-offenders are denied benefits such as student loans, drivers' licenses, welfare..." (Gideon and Sung 23). This puts a hold between the ex-offender and society itself. The Second Chance Act targets these situations and makes improvements so that same individual can have their foot in the door upon release. It also defeats the fact that many ex-offenders are rearrested within 3 years of being released.

Not only does the Second Chance Act help ex-offenders, but it also helps taxpayers save millions of dollars by decreasing recidivism rates and lowering arrest rates. (Gideon and Sung 26). It also allows successful reentry into the real world. It will provide jobs, education, and many more opportunities to these ex-offenders. Though the public is not well educated on this reform, it has become a topic of discussion in many areas and is being recognized.

I believe these barriers are unethical, the general population is not informed nor do they know enough to deny these benefits to these ex-offenders. Most of these individuals are just like us. I agree that they do not deserve all these benefits right away but that's what the Second Chance Act is there for. Since it consists of programs to aid them, it is a process to gain what they have lost.