Sign On to the National Support Letter Calling on Congress to Support Second Chance Act Funding in FY27

The Addiction Policy Forum joined a national letter of support for continued funding of the Second Chance Act in the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. 

The national sign-on letter calls on Congress to maintain funding for these proven reentry initiatives, which help individuals successfully reintegrate by increasing access to housing, employment, behavioral health care, and other essential services. Ongoing support will ensure that individuals, families, and communities nationwide have the resources needed to promote long-term stability and safety.

We invite all local, state, and national organizations to show their support by signing on to our national letter that reiterates the importance of funding Second Chance Act programs. The deadline to sign the letter is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 11th, 2026.

Read the Letter

Sign Your Organization On

Second Chance Act programs provide critical recidivism-reduction and reentry services nationwide, including housing, career training, education, and treatment for substance use and health disorders. From 2009 to 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice awarded over 1,300 Second Chance Act grants in 49 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The Second Chance Act has played a critical role in strengthening public safety and reducing recidivism throughout the nation. Since its enactment in 2008, recidivism rates nationwide have plummeted by 23 percent.

Second Chance Act programs improve the outcomes for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration and can be potentially life-saving. To date, Second Chance grants have reached more than 442,000 justice-involved individuals who participated in reentry services or parole and probation programs. Studies reveal that when individuals reenter the community with substance use disorder treatment, they are less likely to recidivate. Additionally, the addiction treatment services provided to individuals with substance use disorders, including peer recovery services, case management, and overdose prevention, can help mitigate an individual’s chance of overdosing. More than two-thirds of people in correctional settings have a substance use disorder, and people released from prison are 129 times more likely to overdose within the first two weeks of release.