Since 2005, individuals representing employers, educators, faith-based & tribal organizations, social service providers, and government agencies began meeting to better understand how to overcome the obstacles ex-offenders face after being convicted of a felony crime and became known as the “Second Chance Network”.
Conducting monthly networking meetings, participants share strategies and tactics found to improve the success rate of ex-offender job placement and retention. It became quickly apparent that job placement and retention success was not possible without understanding and addressing the hurdles ex-offenders face in obtaining affordable-safe housing, reliable transportation, health care, clothing and other core personal needs.
In 2009, the participants of the Second Chance Network decided to formalize and become a professional membership organization in order to promote ethical standards in the industry, as well as, serve the dedicated individuals that work as professionals in reentry. The organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit entity and changed the name to the “Association of Reentry Professionals” to better reflect the goals of the organization.
Affiliate members
Recent changes in the laws governing consensual sex between minors or an adult 18 years of age and a minor 14-16 years of age have acknowledged that this intimacy is not the same as molestation. The new laws, named “Romeo and Juliet laws” after Shakespeare’s tragic teenage lovers, attempt to correct overly harsh penalties and prison terms meted out over the years. In 2007, these laws went into effect in Connecticut, Florida, Indiana and Texas.
