In contemporary criminal-justice debates, the term “second chances” seems to have lost much of its meaning. The U.S. dedicates the month of April to the idea that we systematically deny second chances to people who come into contact with the criminal-justice system. This is a strange claim, given that the typical state prisoner in America has approximately ten prior arrests and five prior convictions—meaning that he probably received far more than just a “second” chance.
Criminal-Justice Reformers, Take Note
