2018 -- H 8127

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2018, TO BE "SECOND CHANCE MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, Lombardi, Williams, Tobon, and Johnston

     Date Introduced: April 26, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, One in four American adults has a prison record and even though many

have served their time, changed their lives, and want to be responsible members of their

communities and provide for their families, they face almost insurmountable odds that make it

very difficult for them to be productive members of society; and

     WHEREAS, American adults with criminal records are burdened with more than 48,000

legal restrictions which severely limit their ability to find jobs, attain adequate housing and even

vote in many jurisdictions. Combine this with the social stigma those with a criminal record face,

and it is easy to understand just how hard it is for these adults to fully integrate back into society;

and

     WHEREAS, Prison Fellowship is the largest Christian ministry prisoner advocacy group

in the world. They advocate on behalf of and in support of prisoners and former prisoners and

their families. Prison Fellowship preaches the word of God and teaches about God's love and the

power of redemption within 1,000 prisons in America; and

     WHEREAS, Prison Fellowship also encourages prisoners to take responsibility for their

crimes, to make amends to victims, if possible, and offers them counseling, teaches them life-

skills, and advocates for criminal justice and prison reform; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of April, 2018, to be "Second Chance Month"

in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. James J. Ackerman, President and CEO of

Prison Fellowship.

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