Trump is right about giving former inmates a second chance
President Trump’s call in his State of the Union address to give former prisoners a “second chance” should spur bipartisan efforts to reform our criminal justice system to do a better job of preparing people for successful reintegration into society.
Though he has generally emphasized a tough-on-crime approach to public safety, the president’s remarks in support of prison reforms are an encouraging indication that he recognizes the shortcomings that have long plagued our justice system.
“As America regains its strength, this opportunity must be extended to all citizens,” he said. “That is why this year we will embark on reforming our prisons to help former inmates who have served their time get a second chance.”
To his point, recently released data from the Bureau of Prisons indicate that state and federal prisons had jurisdiction over 1,458,200 people sentenced to more than a year at the end of 2016. Many more are incarcerated in local jails.
With so many people imprisoned, it is essential that prison systems across the country balance the retributive components of incarceration with rehabilitative efforts, especially for those who will one day be released.
Trump spoke to this point last month at a prison reform “listening session” convened by the White House and led by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser.
“The vast majority of incarcerated individuals will be released at some point and often struggle to become self-sufficient one they exit the correctional system,” he said. “We have a great interest in helping them turn their lives around, get a second chance and make our communities safe.”
Upward of two-thirds of prisoners released from prisons end up returning within three years. There’s nothing conservative about allowing a vast, costly government enterprise like incarceration to yield such disastrous results.
While precise suggestions from the White House remain to be seen, the focus on reentry and support for giving former prisoners a second chance should inspire Congress and states alike to pursue reforms to ensure that not only is justice served, but that people who have served their time can actually reintegrate into society.
— Orange County Register,
Digital First Media
President Trump’s call in his State of the Union address to give former prisoners a “second chance” should spur bipartisan efforts to reform our criminal justice system to do a better job of preparing people for successful reintegration into society.