Durham Reporter

The Durham County Justice Services Department, alongside the Durham Local Reentry Council, is actively participating in a series of events throughout April to celebrate Second Chance Month in Durham County. The initiative is part of a national campaign seeking to raise awareness and provide opportunities for community-based service providers to support individuals returning from incarceration.

Since the Second Chance Act was passed in 2008, substantial progress has been made in decreasing recidivism across the United States, assisting more than 400,000 individuals transitioning from prison and jail. In 2017, Second Chance Month was inaugurated by the Prison Fellowship to address the social stigma and barriers faced by Americans with a criminal record. It is estimated that nearly one in three adults in the U.S. has a criminal record.

Durham County's Board of County Commissioners plans to designate the month as Second Chance Month at its Regular Session on April 14, 2025. This will take place at 200 E. Main Street and is open to the public both in person and online.

“Reentry is rewarding work,” stated Robin Heath, Assistant Director of the Justice Services Department. “To know you’ve made a difference to help someone in a way that can ultimately change the trajectory of their life is meaningful. Helping someone doesn't just benefit individuals, it builds community. Second Chance Month is all about recognizing the challenges that justice involved individuals face, offering opportunities for change, and celebrating successes, both big and small.”

As part of the month's events, the Local Reentry Council (LRC) participated in the North Carolina Reentry Conference in Raleigh from April 1 to 3 and a resource fair at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women on March 31.

The LRC and Justice Services Department are conducting a Backpack Drive to aid clients being released. Contributions can be made at a bin located in the JSD building at 326 E. Main Street in Durham.

Additionally, Justice Services will partner with the Religious Coalition of a Non-Violent Durham to distribute food boxes, provided by Grace Outreach Enrichment Ministries, to clients experiencing food insecurity. The department will provide treats to clients, with support from Favor Desserts, on April 16. Uplift Laundry Truck has contributed laundry products and cards for those facing laundry insecurity.

Other scheduled activities include a Better Chance Employment Fair on April 15, a Winning Resumes Seminar on April 16, and free A1C testing on April 24. The month concludes with a Mastering Your Career Seminar and a Resource Fair on April 30.

For more details, the Local Reentry Council can be contacted at 919-560-0500.