Bill will fund programs for ex-felons

The recently passed federal legislation targeting ex-offenders returning from prison will benefit incarcerated Black men who make up half of the prison population, according to U.S. Rep.Danny Davis (D-7th).

Davis, chief sponsor of The Second Chance Act of 2007, said he expects President George W. Bush to sign the bill (H.R. 1593) into law shortly after Congress returns from its recess. Davis added that the bill would authorize up to $400 million in grants to community and faith-based groups as well as states, local governments and even colleges and universities.

“If there are colleges that have programs to help ex-offenders then they, too, would be able to access these funds. It takes money to help ex-offenders and that’s what this bill will largely do,” Davis said.

“It makes more sense to have legislation that could reverse the $35,000 to $40,000 a year taxpayers spend to keep someone in prison each year when they could spend half that amount to send them to school or a program that would aid them in gaining employment and becoming a productive member of society.” And with so many different types of ex-offenders, faith-based organizations like One Family One Child focuses on helping juveniles.

“They are the ‘throw away’ batch everyone overlooks. They [children] are the core reason why OFOC was created,” said Rev. Richard Nelson, vice president of OFOC and pastor of Greater Open Door M.B. Church, 1302 S. Sawyer Ave.

The Illinois prison population as of December 31, 2007 was 45, 215, which included 1,503 Black women and 25, 284 Black men, according to state records.

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