Social Media Toolkit Action Alerts Past Events
Return to Freedom Project Second Look Sentencing
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Since 2017, NACDL, Prison Fellowship, and other national partners have recognized April as Second Chance Month, a time to raise awareness about the obstacles faced by over 70 million Americans with a criminal record and unlock opportunities for them to succeed. This Second Chance Month, NACDL is highlighting collateral consequences, including those related to employment, housing, education, and the right to vote. NACDL is also bringing attention to the need for second chance opportunities for those who are currently incarcerated. Individuals experiencing excessive, lengthy sentences deserve opportunities to gain a second chance at freedom.
On this page, you'll find a social media toolkit, action alerts for relevant federal legislation, and upcoming second chance month events.
Social Media Toolkit
Below are links to social media graphics and accompanying language related to restoration of rights for individuals with criminal records and second chances for those who are currently incarcerated. Make sure to tag NACDL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram when you share!
Legislative Action Alerts
H.R. 1924: The Kenneth Thompson Begin Again Act: Expungement is one of the most effective tools in the criminal legal system for restoring rights and status, yet existing federal law provides extremely limited expungement opportunities, even for low-level offenses. H.R. 1924 would expand expungement eligibility for individuals charged with simple drug possession by removing the requirement that such individuals were under 21 years old at the time of the offense in question.
S. 79: The EQUAL Act: For the past three and a half decades, the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity has exacerbated and further entrenched racial disparities in the criminal legal system. S. 79 would end it once and for all.
Past Events
Race and the Criminal Legal System: Collateral Consequences: In April 2021, NACDL held a two-part discussion on race and collateral consequences as part of the ongoing Race and the Criminal Legal System Discussion Series. In Part I, panelists discussed how the collateral consequences of a conviction have become more numerous and severe, and how they disproportionately impact communities of color. In Part II of the discussion, panelists took a deep dive into how a past criminal conviction can impact an individual’s ability to participate in industries like the legal profession, the cannabis industry, and other business and entrepreneurship opportunities. Resources and speaker biographies for both webinars can be found on NACDL’s Race and the Criminal Legal System Discussion Series page, in addition to recordings of past webinars in the series exploring public defense and policing in relation to issues of race.
