A Nation of Second Chances

This week, I was proud to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution that recognizes April as Second Chance Month. This resolution raises awareness for unlocking opportunities for successful reentry into society following incarceration that ultimately reduces recidivism rates.

Arkansas’ ranking as the third highest for recidivism rates in the nation highlights the need for us to look at opportunities to enact real change and ultimately create a more prosperous future for our state. According to the Arkansas Department of Corrections, forty-six percent of those released from prison in the state are readmitted within three years.

Offering incarcerated Arkansans the opportunity to succeed by reducing the barriers that keep them from establishing good-paying jobs and earning sought-after respect after being released is proven to be a critical key to reducing recidivism rates. Investing in these individuals who have proven to be committed to rectifying their mistakes is ultimately an investment in the future success and safety of our communities.

While the true hope is that crimes are not committed, it remains an unfortunate reality. Over twenty years ago in his State of the Union Speech, President George W. Bush said, “We know from long experience that if [incarcerated individuals] can’t find work, or a home, or help, they are much more likely to commit more crimes and return to prison…. America is the land of the second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.”

The United States of America stands apart from the rest of the world. Other countries and nations have centuries of history and stories to tell. But we are a young nation – only 250 years old – so what makes us so revered by the world?

There are many ways to answer this question, but there is one constant theme that has been woven like a thread into the fabric of our nation’s history: the hope of a second chance. The dream of starting over and building a new life that isn’t weighed down by past mistakes. We know this to be called the “American Dream.”

A concept first penned by James Truslow Adams in 1931, the term was described as, “not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”

We are the living legacies of men and women who desired a second chance and the opportunity to experience the American Dream. Because of that, giving a second chance to those who are committed to reconciling with society and looking to contribute positively to their communities after serving their sentence is one of the most American things we can do.

It’s a privilege to work in Congress on efforts that truly lead to the betterment of our communities. Getting down to the root of the issue and learning how we can apply real opportunities for real change is a great honor that I look forward to continuing to work toward.