Really want to help former prisoners? Declare a blanket amnesty on all who have been out five years or more. Complete restoration of all rights as a citizen. Wipe out their record completely. Really give them a 'second chance'. If you don't you have a big population of second class people who will never be a real part of society.

I do agree mostly with your comment Mahonri, however, 5 years is not enough time to prove that a person has changed! It would cost them too much money to follow up closely enough to prove that, I'd say more like 7-10, yet, screw up again, and the past will be able to be used against you still. I know someone who just got away with murder basicly, anyone know how to retrieve court case information? Is it possible?!?!
President Bush has done one positive thing for prisoners, like he cares, but it will have an extremely positive change on released prisoners lives, and something for them to work toward and lood forward to during incarceration. Good luck all!!!

So let me get this right, you can victimize some one, go to jail, get free housing, free food, and free health care. then when you get out you will get help to stay out. This maybe a good idea except I have to wonder about the people that were victimized in the first place. Why didn't we spend $400,000,000 to help them recover from what they went through. Why is our priority taking care of the criminal and not the victim. And when Bush takes care the the criminal he's a hero. Yep, I'm confused!

My husband (who had a business)asked me to make a phone call to have a man meet him. I was sent to federal prison for four months for that phone call. It turned out I had set up the meeting time for a drug deal. This was the call the undercover agents were waiting for.

My point is the only "real" second chance inmates need is from employers. Even though my drug screens were clean and with at least fifteen years experience, all employers who didn't know me refused me employment,no matter of my experience or references. One of our most well-known discount retailers refused me employment because of my drug related charge. I called the District Manager and spoke with him personally. I asked him why couldn't fifteen years experience override four measly months in prison.
All he had to say was,"that's company policy".
Equal Opportunity Employer? For who?

Lucky for me,my original employer held my job for my return from prison.

IF THIS PROGRAM HELPS ELDERLY INMATES THAT ARE NONVIOLENT AND WERE INCARCERATED BECAUSE LACK OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE I BELIEVE IT IS FROM THE LORD.

So whose going to get paid by federal money that can now go to rehab vouchers.

If you have paid your debt to society, you come home from jail and start over? Right? Not in the real world. Offenders pay again and again by not being allowed to vote, not being able to get a job, or qualify for rent, etc. They are drop kicked back into a society that will not provide a second chance. The whole system is a scam. The government makes mega bucks on offenders who are nothing more than a booking number with a rap sheet, yet they are the overtime,Christmas bonus,etc., but they do not want to provide education, updated job skills or a real second chance. Medical care is denied. They come out broken, ashamed and not prepared to even support themselves. As a taxpayer, I would prefer that my money be invested in a new beginning instead of fattening the prisons and jails. This is especially wrong for non-violent offenders who are doing more time than murderers. It is easy to sit on the sofa and judge. Go to a jail and see for yourself. Talk to the family that is sitting there. Chat with the bail bonds man and get educated.

Amazed, you are right on with your comments. I believe that one real cause of recidivism is the difficulty offenders have in finding work, housing, basic necessities of life.

Mahonri made some good points, although I wonder about the 5-year time limit. Depends on the crime.

"Confused", you watch too many movies. Inmates do not much free medical care. My son's an inmate in Nevada, and he has to pay for medications and visits to the infirmiry. If he's not working or doesn't have money on his books, he can still have the care, but as soon as he gets money, either as a gift, or money earned, his bill comes out of it first. As for the food, there is never enough to eat, and they can't have seconds. He buys food, or rather we do, twice a year for him in a food package order, and if he has money he buys a few things in the prison commissary, just to keep from being hungry. The beds are metal, sometimes cement, with a thin pad on them. Not great living quarters. I hope he can have a "second chance" when he is released.

The greatest impediment to released prisoners being rehabilitated and becoming part of seociety is the refusal of large companies to given anyone a chance who has a felony on his/her record - no matter how many years ago it happened. This makes them marginal society members and sends them right back to conditions that made them offend in the first place. I see this first-hand over and over. It is very frustrating. Folks who comment about the "free-rides" in jails/prisons do not know what they are talking about. It is what it is supposed to be: hell. But, after their sentence, they need another chance. There should be a mandatory 5-7 year record cleansing. EH.

where does a released inmate find help with loans, grants jobs ect.