KITCHEN’S CAPITOL RALLY SUPPORTS ‘SECOND CHANCE’ LEGISLATION

            HARRISBURG, April 20 — Surrounded by men and women whose past records have prevented them from becoming productive members of society, state Sen. Shirley Kitchen today urged lawmakers to give ex-offenders a clearer path toward a decent profession during a Capitol rally in Harrisburg.

            “Many non-violent ex-offenders walk among us. They’re smart, talented, hard working and they want to do the right thing, but they don’t get the chance to explain that to an employer who dismisses any applicant with a criminal past, no matter how minor the charge is,” Kitchen said. “Providing non-violent ex-offenders with job opportunities helps the economy, reduces the recidivism rate, reduces potential future crimes in neighborhoods and saves taxpayers the growing costs of incarcerating repeat offenders.”

           An advocate for prisoner reform and rehabilitation programs, Kitchen has been an ongoing activist for non-violent ex-offenders who have trouble seeking employment, education and housing. This is the seventh year that the senator has raised awareness about Second Chance legislation.

            Among the guest speakers and supporters were representatives from Community Legal Services, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, NAACP-Philadelphia Prison Society and the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health.

           State law currently allows any employer to view and consider an applicant’s criminal history information when making hiring decisions. In an attempt to protect ex-offenders’ rights, the law states that employers may only consider that criminal history as it relates to the job. The law provides little protection for ex-offenders seeking employment, education or even renting an apartment.

            Pennsylvania has already taken some steps to combat recidivism and help non-violent ex-offenders.

            Act 134 of 2008 allows individuals with summary offenses to request that their local court expunge an offense from their record five years after they complete their sentence. Summary offenses include crimes like disorderly conduct and shoplifting.

            Act 81 of 2008 allows courts to sentence non-violent offenders to intensive rehabilitation programs while in prison and provide for strict parole supervision after their release. This law provides non-violent offenders with life skills that will help them to become good citizens when they are released from prison.

            It also saves taxpayers the growing costs of incarcerating repeat offenders, she continued.

            “With prison costs on the rise again, we cannot afford to ignore the growing prison population trend,” Kitchen said. “If we can just help non-violent ex-offenders get hired, we can help reduce corrections costs, reduce crime in our communities and jumpstart the economy by putting people to work.”

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