Dear John, 

April is Second Chance Month! This is a time for all of us to reflect on our carceral system and the ways we can and need to transform it.  Let’s work to ensure we build a system that prioritizes healing, rehabilitation, accountability, and redemption. To successfully reduce recidivism and reintegrate formerly incarcerated people back into society, it is vital that we provide meaningful second, and sometimes even, first chances. 

ARC is proud to be a Member-driven and Member-led organization that offers wraparound reentry services and robust services inside prisons. Our community unfortunately faces a multitude of barriers to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities that make up a high-quality life that make their 'second chance' nearly impossible to attain. We are fighting to change that...join us. 

In January, several ARC-sponsored bills went into effect that afford formerly incarcerated people a meaningful chance to overcome barriers to successful re-entry and build positive lives in service of their communities. These reforms include expanded opportunities to earn certificates of rehabilitation and expungement, and we are working to ensure that these reforms are being implemented.  

Recently, we hosted events in both our DTLA ARC office headquarters and our Sacramento office to welcome hundreds of formerly incarcerated people to learn about one of the most comprehensive record cleaning laws ARC cosponsored and helped pass in the country – SB 731. 

SB731 is a ground-breaking new law in California that gives people an opportunity to expunge their records, including those with prior felonies who served time in state prison. The Anti-Recidivism Coalition, in partnership with Root & Rebound have partnered together to provide resources and support to help our Members (and staff) petition to have their records sealed under SB 731!  We provided a workshop explaining the bill and gave many people their first chance at a better life with a clean slate.

The implementation of this bill allows us to end the ongoing and senseless “scarlet letter” effect that having a criminal conviction has. At ARC we don’t just pass policy, we implement it. If you have a felony conviction and believe you qualify, please reach out to us so that we can help you create a record free future. 

Friend, this month I encourage you to make a gift in honor of second chances.
 

Sincerely, 
Sam Lewis 
Executive Director 
Anti Recidivism Coalition (ARC)