[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 107 (Friday, September 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9076-S9077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself and Mr. Santorum):
  S. 2789. A bill to reauthorize the grant program of the Department of 
Justice for reentry of offenders into the community, to establish a 
task force on Federal programs and activities relating to the reentry 
of offenders into the community, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.

[[Page S9077]]

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with Senator 
Santorum today and introduce a bill that will have a dramatic and 
positive effect in the lives of individuals re-entering society after 
incarceration. The Second Chance Act: Community Safety Through 
Recidivism Prevention is a bill that will not only protect our Nation's 
citizens but will more importantly help to reduce recidivism in our 
Nation.
  A hallmark of any just society lies in its ability to protect the 
interest of all its citizens, and I am proud that the United States is 
a leader in this regard. Yet, while we continue to strive toward this 
lofty goal, we must realize that there are areas in which we, as a 
society and as government, must do more to improve. Nowhere is that 
more apparent than in our Nation's prison system.
  Today, we have challenges within the prison system that range from 
high recidivism rates to budgetary and safety concerns. With this bill, 
we will be able to address this pressing problem within our society. 
Already we have seen innovative and model programs within the States 
and the faith community, and I am proud to say that Kansas is a leader 
in this regard. However, we must stimulate innovation in this area on a 
national level, and that is what this bill will accomplish. It is 
paramount that we ensure the safety of our communities and ensure that 
those incarcerated have the tools necessary to succeed after they 
rejoin society.
  With this bill, we will be able to combat the extremely high 
recidivism rates plaguing the prison system, currently as high as 70 
percent, as well as address the financial burdens that hinder many of 
our State penitentiaries. We will also be able to help those 
incarcerated make positive changes within their lives so that when they 
do rejoin society, they will be able to do so with the confidence of 
knowing that they can contribute to society in a positive manner.
  Specifically, this bill facilitates change within our current 
correctional system, and promotes coordination with the Federal 
government to better assist those returning to our communities after 
incarceration and their children. The bill reauthorizes the Re-Entry 
Demonstration Project with an enhanced focus on jobs, housing, 
substance-abuse treatment, mental health, and the children and families 
of those incarcerated. The bill authorizes $160 million over a period 
of two years to fund these demonstration program and creates 
performance outcome standards and deliverables. It will also encourage 
States to enhance their re-entry services and systems with grants to 
fund the creation or enhancement of State re-entry councils for 
strategic planning and review the State barriers and resources that 
exist.
  Additionally, the bill creates a Federal interagency taskforce to 
facilitate collaboration and identify innovative programs and 
initiatives. The taskforce will review and report to Congress on the 
Federal barriers that exist to successful re-entry.
  Finally, the bill will create a $45 million two-year mentoring 
program geared toward reducing recidivism and the societal costs of 
recidivism. This mentoring program will help ex-offenders re-integrate 
into their communities. This initiative will specifically harness the 
resources and experience of community-based organizations in helping 
returning ex-offenders.
  We have an incredible opportunity to re-shape the way in which this 
Nation's prison systems operate. Much like welfare reform in the mid 
1990s, we have a chance to make real and effective change in an area 
where change is sorely needed. I look forward to pushing this 
legislation forward.
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