If you have a loved one serving time in a state or federal prison, you likely want to do everything in your power to ensure that they are properly reinstated into society. After serving a sentence of any length, inmates need help readjusting to life outside of prison, which is where the Second Chance Act (SCA) comes into play.

What Is the Second Chance Act?

The Second Change Act is a federal law signed by President George W. Bush in 2008. The goal of the SCA is to give inmates longer stays in halfway homes or home confinement in order to successfully reintroduce them to society. Before the SCA, an inmate serving 24 months was granted around 2 months’ time in a halfway house. Today, inmates are considered for up to 12 months of halfway house or home confinement time with the help of SCA. Here is what you need to know about the Second Chance Act:

  • The Second Chance Act does not add time to an inmate’s sentence. Inmates eligible for the SCA will be placed in a halfway house or in home confinement prior to their release date.
  • The Second Change Act is regulated by the Bureau of Prisons or BOP. The BOP helps place inmates in suitable halfway homes and decides how long the stay will be.
  • There are certain guidelines an inmate must meet in order to be eligible for a stay in a halfway house or in home confinement. To learn more, visit bja.gov/sca/.

Rehabilitating after a long stay in state or federal prison isn’t easy. If you would like to take advantage of the Second Chance act for yourself or a family member, or if you have any questions or would like assistance applying for this program, contact us or visit our webpage: https://www.jailtimeconsulting.com/second-chance-act/.

Have any questions? Contact Us.