By Sammy Perez
With more than 2.2 million Americans behind bars, many of us know someone who’s either doing or has done time. In my case, it’s me—and almost all males in my family. Beginning with my time in a juvenile detention center, I spent close to 10 years of my life incarcerated.
That’s my past.
As a gainfully employed husband, father—and follower of Christ—my life today is totally different. But like the more than 600,000 Americans who leave prison each year, I ran into systemic obstacles and social stigma in the free world. In fact, more than 44,000 legal barriers stand in the way of returning citizens, and for far too long, this nation has been OK with the high failure rates that go along with that mountain of obstacles. But recent Barna group polling, commissioned by Prison Fellowship, shows attitudes are changing—and my millennial peers are at the forefront of this shift.
I got involved in advocating for prison reform because I am passionate about changing the system that had such an effect on my life. I started out as a Prison Fellowship volunteer, writing letters to the editor and speaking to lawmakers about my tough experiences in the juvenile justice system.
My generation grew up amid the stark outcomes of over-incarceration, disproportional sentencing, the crack cocaine epidemic, and the War on Drugs. Along the way, millennials like me have been exposed—perhaps more than older generations—to the injustices that exist in this nation’s broken criminal justice system. We understand that people coming home from prison deserve a fair chance to succeed—and that society is better off when they get one. This puts us in a unique position to lead the way in advocating for justice that restores and unlocking second chances for the one in three Americans with a criminal record.
The idea of returning citizens getting a real shot at a second chance resonates with many Americans, according to recent Barna polling commissioned by Prison Fellowship. About 42 percent of U.S. adults surveyed agreed that once someone with a criminal history has completed their just punishment, they deserve a chance to become a productive member of the community.
“The idea of returning citizens getting a real shot at a second chance resonates with many Americans...”
Countless formerly incarcerated people like me know how to make the most of our second chance. Since my 2011 release, I’ve gotten married, graduated from college, am raising three children, and will soon graduate with my master’s degree. And I’m just one of many second-chance success stories.
As my journey and my work with Prison Fellowship prove daily, men and women who are being released into our communities are just like everyone else—people with hopes, dreams, and goals. When we pile heavy restrictions and stigma on them, that only exacerbates their struggle to become contributing members of society. But if we accept and embrace returning citizens as our neighbors, they are more likely to successfully reintegrate.
At times, my past still haunts me. I can’t rent any apartment I can afford because most management companies would turn me down. I can vote now, but I couldn’t until Virginia recently reinstated voting rights for its citizens with a history of incarceration. We are far from being a society that lives up to our values of redemption and a fair chance for everyone.
Thankfully, the movement to unlock second chances continues to gain momentum. One-quarter of Americans agree strongly that former prisoners should not face further restrictions after release, except those directly related to their crime, Barna also reports. As our nation navigates the COVID-19 crisis, it is crucial that we continue the important work of raising awareness about the challenges men and women face upon reentry as they seek healthcare, housing, and employment amidst the ongoing public health crisis.
All this is progress, but I’m most encouraged by my generation’s outlook. The Barna poll showed millennials are significantly more likely to agree strongly with limiting restrictions on returning citizens. Our generation is more awake to issues of justice and their effect on our loved ones and neighbors. We are ready to take the lead and work for change, and for the good of our country, I pray we make good on our generation’s potential.
Sammy Perez is the Justice Ambassador program manager at Prison Fellowship, the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for criminal justice reform.
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