Congress is working now to decide on funding for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins on October 1. In a potential blow for reentry programs across the country, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill last week that would eliminate funding for the Second Chance Act in FY 2012. For its part, the House version of the legislation, approved this summer, would provide $70 million for the Second Chance Act in FY12.

Congressional leaders will be meeting over the coming weeks to come to agreement on funding levels, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy has pledged to work to restore Second Chance Act funding through the conference process. That's why we need your help now.

The Legal Action Center asks to contact  your representatives in the Senate and House of Representatives or visit them when they are home during next week’s scheduled recess and urge them to restore funding for the Second Chance Act. Stress how important it is to your community to have effective solutions to promote successful reentry, both to save money and to improve public safety. 

Click the following link to read the full alert.

http://lac.org/index.php/blog/federal_policy_update_second_chance_act