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Second Chance Month

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Second Chance Month, observed in the United States during April since 2017, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of the records that follow an arrest or conviction, and unlocking second chances — opportunities for people who have completed their sentences, and remained crime-free, to create a better future for themselves. The awareness effort was started by Prison Fellowship, the nation's largest nonprofit serving incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people, and their families, and an advocate for justice reform. The effort has since been championed by other nonprofit organizations, policymakers, and business leaders. Activities include promoting public awareness, advocating for legislation that expands access to second chances, and encouraging companies to become second-chance employers.

According to SEARCH, in the United States, between 70 and 100 million adults have an arrest or conviction record. Even when these records are years old and a person’s sentence has been served in full, they limit access to education, jobs, housing, and other things necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life. The National Reentry Resource Center (NERRC) identifies over 40,000 collateral consequences in the United States, which create legal barriers for people with records, in addition to the widespread social stigma. This is referred to as the “true sentence” that follows people forever, in many cases. Because so many are unaware that they are eligible to seal their years-old records, or unable to find the time and money to navigate the legal system in order to do so, Second Chance Month serves as a reminder that we have a long way to go to ensure everyone gets a fair shot at a second chance.

Government Recognition

The U.S. government has shown bipartisan support for Second Chance Month. In 2018, President Donald Trump issued the first proclamation declaring April as Second Chance Month, a tradition that has continued in subsequent administrations. In March 2024, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation recognizing April 2024 as Second Chance Month, underscoring the ongoing commitment to providing opportunities for individuals with arrest and conviction records.

History and purpose

Prison Fellowship founded Second Chance Month in 2017 to raise awareness and improve perceptions of people with an arrest or conviction record, encourage second chance opportunities, and drive momentum for policy change throughout the country. The nonprofit declared April as Second Chance Month for several reasons, including the following:

  • The United States Department of Justice recognizes National Reentry Week. during April.
  • Prison Fellowship had previously held Second Chance 5K races in April.
  • The anniversary of the federal Second Chance Act is during April.
  • April marks the anniversary of the death of Charles Colson, who used his second chance following his incarceration for a Watergate-related crime to found Prison Fellowship.
  • The Easter season focuses on the message of Christ's atoning sacrifice and themes of redemption and second chances, although Second Chance Month is not a movement restricted to the faith community.

In 2023, nearly 1,000 partners joined Prison Fellowship’s celebration of Second Chance Month, demonstrating the growth of the movement over time. In addition to Prison Fellowship's efforts, organizations like The Clean Slate Initiative have contributed significantly to the movement of support behind Second Chance Month. Founded in 2019, The Clean Slate Initiative focuses on passing and implementing laws that automatically seal eligible records for individuals who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free, thereby expanding opportunities for those with arrest or conviction records.

Thanks to the leadership of Prison Fellowship in 2017, the broader legal reform movement has embraced Second Chance Month, with a wide array of organizations now participating in and amplifying actions and advocacy efforts each April: Due Process Institute, Center for American Progress, R Street, Right on Crime, Vera Institute of Justice, the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, and even companies committed to second chances, such as JPMorganChase & Co.

The broad support for Second Chance Month demonstrates how the movement has grown tremendously.

Year Federal Recognition State & Local Recognition Media and Advocacy Highlights
2017 Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Robert Portman, R-Ohio, led the Senate in declaring April 2017 as Second Chance Month. Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., also co-sponsored the resolution. Colorado, Maine, Michigan, City of St. Paul, Minnesota issued proclamations. Second Chance 5Ks in Denver and St. Paul (with in-prison runs demonstrating incarcerated people’s solidarity with the movement); petition drives, social media campaigns; Featured in Christian Post, Catholic Online, Cleveland.com.
2018 Senate and House Resolutions declaring Second Chance Month; First-ever White House Second Chance Month proclamation by President Trump and subsequent championing of sweeping criminal legal reform legislation, the First Step Act. Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia; multiple cities (DC, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Greenville, etc.) issued proclamations; Pennsylvania passed its Clean Slate Act, leading the way for other states to follow suit. 5Ks in St. Paul, OH prisons, NYC, Virtual 5K; Road to Second Chances walk & reentry fair in DC; Capitol Hill screening of Knife Skills. A combined 800 million people were reached through #SecondChanceMonth earned and social media.
2019 President Trump issued a White House Proclamation elevating Second Chance Month; U.S. Representatives Mark Walker (R-N.C.) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) introduced a resolution expressing support for April 2019 to be recognized as Second Chance Month. A Senate companion bill is being introduced by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Ongoing local/state participation in events and proclamations; Utah passed Clean Slate legislation. Throughout April, social media campaigns, prayer groups, and other activities centered around Second Chance Month took place around the nation; prayer leaders in Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Lincoln, Oklahoma City, Fresno, and San Bernardino joined forces for a Road to Second Chances Virtual Prayer Meeting, where community members from all these cities came together to cover our nation with prayer.
2020 White House proclamation reaffirming commitment to second chances. Proclamations by multiple states, including Alabama, Colorado, Texas, and D.C; Michigan and Connecticut passed Clean Slate legislation. 380+ partner orgs joined advocacy efforts; all events shifted to virtual formats due to COVID-19; increased focus on digital outreach; emphasis on challenges faced during the pandemic for those incarcerated or formerly incarcerated and seeking to reintegrate; press coverage in, The Hill and beyond; emphasis on advocating for policies aimed at automatically clearing eligible arrest or conviction records (Clean Slate legislation), thereby facilitating reintegration into society.
2021 Continued federal support for Second Chance Month, with President Biden issuing a White House proclamation; discussions on related policy reforms that support second chances such as Clean Slate, improved conditions and programs within prisons, and reintegration programs. Additional proclamations from states like Michigan, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; Delaware passed Clean Slate legislation. Launch of Clean Slate policies in multiple states; passage of the amended Fair Chance Act; FAMM promotes pandemic-related release policies;

coverage on the impact of Clean Slate laws; discussions on automated record clearance; highlighting challenges with reintegration following incarceration.

2022 White House proclamation on Second Chance Month; federal initiatives to support reentry programs receive bipartisan endorsements from Congress. States like Virginia issued proclamations recognizing Second Chance Month; Oklahoma and Colorado passed Clean Slate legislation. Right on Crime and the Center for American Progress elevate bipartisan reform narratives;

social and faith-based advocacy campaigns continue; conservative advocates vocally support common-sense legal reform efforts.

2023 Congressional support for the Clean Slate Act grows. Proclamations reaffirmed in over 20 jurisdictions, including one native nation (Muscogee “Creek” Nation); Minnesota and New York passed Clean Slate legislation. Michigan launches automatic record clearance, following Pennsylvania’s lead; events and social media chats hosted across U.S.; local community events, social media chats, webinars; coverage by Newsweek, Detroit News, and more.
2024 Second Chance Act reaffirmed in White House proclamation and bipartisan House Resolution; Clean Slate Act receives bipartisan interest and growing momentum in the Senate. Proclamations issued in states including Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, Arkansas, and more. National Reentry Week overlaps with Second Chance Month in many locales; coverage in the Nonprofit Quarterly, USA Today, and beyond.
2025 House Resolution introduced to support the recognition of April as Second Chance Month; increased momentum behind the bipartisan federal Clean Slate Act in both the House and the Senate. Second Chance Month was reaffirmed by 20+ jurisdictions, including Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and more. “I’m Working Hard” campaign by inmates at Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex; CSMA Student Lobby Day for Clean Slate legislation; Temple University hosts job readiness workshops; Capitol Hill briefing on conservative justice reform; Clean Slate community call; Coverage in The Hill, the Chicago Tribune, and more.

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