Dear Friends,
Each year, we celebrate Second Chance Month, an opportunity to recognize the importance of supporting people as they re-enter society after incarceration and promote awareness of the hardships they encounter during this transition.
Last month, the nation recognized that right that should be afforded to everyone who served their prison terms. However, especially in Texas, we have to fight for that right year-round because the state has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the country. The Lone Star State imprisons more of its population than any other nation. People who have been incarcerated have the right to return to the free world when their sentence has been served, yet our justice system does not support this. Too often, basic freedoms that should be restored upon release, such as the ability to secure employment and housing, are hindered or flat-out denied.
Unsurprisingly, without these fundamental opportunities available, people are more likely to end up back in the criminal legal system.
In an effort to combat this cycle, we at Harris County are doing what we can to increase access to jobs and housing.
Harris County adopted a Fair Chance Hiring Policy in 2022. Also known as a “ban the box” policy, people who apply for positions in Harris County offices are not required to disclose whether they have a record of conviction when they submit their initial application. Any criminal history is disclosed only after the employer decides to move forward with the applicant. Similar policies have been adopted by 37 states and over 150 jurisdictions across the country. Qualified candidates are more likely to apply for jobs where initial disclosure of convictions is not required, and employers are presented with great candidates they otherwise would have missed or rejected based on the conviction alone.
People who have previously been incarcerated are nearly 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public. Yet, stable housing is essential to successful reentry. Harris County is investing American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Biden-Harris Administration to support successful housing and reentry, with the specific goal of reducing homelessness for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Those who have served their time deserve a second chance. Harris County is taking steps to make sure everyone has basic opportunities to succeed and thrive. We must continue to fight for true justice in the criminal justice system, and we must all remember the importance of second chances.
Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis