April is Second Chances Month, a time for all of us to focus on providing opportunities for people with criminal records to earn an honest second chance at life and celebrating those who have successfully re-entered society and become active members of our communities.

65 million Americans – one in four of adults – has a criminal record, limiting access to jobs, education, and housing, creating what Prison Fellowship deems the ‘second prison.’ Helping those who have already been held accountable for their crimes successfully re-enter society can reduce crime rates and mass incarceration, decrease taxpayer burdens, and make Americans safer, freer and more equal.

Breaking this vicious cycle of crime is difficult, but it’s not impossible. We must help people find and keep employment, treat addictions and mental health issues, strengthen family and community bonds, and feel like valued members of our society.

Equal Justice Under Law is honored to have represented many people who have used their second chances to become active and fruitful members of our communities.

EJUL proudly fights every day, every month of the year to change the system so that more people have the opportunity at a real second chance. We work to end abusive private probation practices, modern day debtors’ prisons, mandatory minimums, vindictive crime registries, and the unfair and unproductive practice of suspending people’s drivers’ for unpaid fees or minor drug offenses – all systems that drive vicious cycles of crime and poverty.

We work every day for second chances. Now, we hope that you take the opportunity this month to volunteer or donate to an organization supporting second chance initiatives and spread the word on to your friends, family and social media networks.