Second Chance Act of 2007 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Second Chance Act of 2007 - Research Paper Example The legislation was passed under pressure from the criminal justice system, which releases nearly 650,000 men and women each year from state and federal prisons. The United States Congress deemed it necessary for the federal government to provide protections and services to these individuals such that the costs of providing such public interest services outweigh the costs of unsuccessful transitions back into society. The legislation, until repealed or changed, will provide useful for former members of prison populations attempting to make a successful reentry into their respective communities. The social justice aspect of the legislation revolves around the concept of disadvantage for one part of the population: namely, recently released prisoners. In the past and the present, when individuals are released from prison or jail, they are at a distinct disadvantage. Because it is society that puts these individuals at a disadvantage, it is perceived social justice responsibility of soc iety to give them that advantage in proportion to what was lost.