Ex-Convicts Get a Second Chance

Yes sir, I am aware that you have spent ___ number of days, months, and years around rapists, murderers, burglars, molesters, and drug dealers. I know that because of your new criminal record, most temporary agencies will not consider you for future candidacy, and as for a permanent position, hope and pray that nobody does a background check on you. Schooling? No, we don't have funds for that. Didn't you read enough in the prison library? Father? Well, you better be ready to pay child support or else you'll end up here sooner than you think. Housing? Not my problem. Find somewhere to live in a neighborhood that may be filled with other ex-cons and probably people who are waiting to pull you back into prison. You say your parole officer doesn't want you around these people? Well, move then. You say you don't have money to move? Not my fault. You shouldn't have committed the crime. Innocent? Yeah, that's what they all say. So what if some of you all are. What does that have to do with us? The government has better things to do than find a safe home for you or give you a second chance. Done your time? Once a criminal, always a criminal. Now here is your five dollar bill. Get the hell on!

The above attitude has been that of the US government's for decades. A prime example of that would be Governor Rod Blagojevich, who vetoed a bill to remove questions about a person's past criminal record from employment applications. When prisoners are released, they are given a five-dollar bill, plenty of snide remarks about coming back soon, and no hopes of finding a legal job or spending money until they get on their feet. However, with Bush finally signing the Second Chance Act of 2007, on April 9^th, and programs like Cleanslate, repeat offenders may be less popular.