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Bush signs prisoners' Second Chance act

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Actress Jenna Elfman and other guests listen as U.S. President George W. Bush speaks before signing H.R. 1593, the Second Chance Act of 2007, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House on April 9, 2008. Lawmakers hope the act will help former criminals re-enter society and reduce recidivism. (UPI Photo/Roger L. Wollenberg) 
Published: April 9, 2008 at 5:56 PM

WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President W. Bush" class="tpstyle">George W. Bush Wednesday signed the Second Chance Act, saying the legislation will help prisoners "reclaim their lives."

The act authorizes the administration's Prison Re-entry Program, which expands job training and placement services, to help ex-prisoners find transitional housing. It also provides mentoring, including help from faith-based groups, Bush said during the signing ceremony.

"Our government has a responsibility to help prisoners to return as contributing members of their community," Bush said.

Most of the assistance provided for in the legislation happens in faith-based communities and community-based groups, he said.

"The bill I'm signing today," Bush said, "will build on work to help prisoners reclaim their lives. In other words, it basically says: 'We're standing with you, not against you.'"

During the past three years, congressional appropriations supported a series of pilot programs in 20 states, Bush said.

In the first two years of the program, more than 12,800 offenders enrolled in the prisoner re-entry program. Of that total, 18 percent were arrested within a year, Bush said, while more 7,900 were placed in jobs.

Topics: George Bush, George W. Bush, W. Bush
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