April Declared Second Chance Month In Arkansas

Governor Hutchinson issued a proclamation declaring April, “Second Chance Month”. This proclamation intends to increase public awareness about the need for closure and opportunities for those with criminal records.

Approximately 70 million Americans have criminal records; and in Arkansas alone, more than 15,000 individuals are incarcerated. A criminal conviction results in many barriers which make access to employment, education, business, occupational licensing, and other government assistance nearly impossible.

“The barriers an individual faces can be truly overwhelming, and it really does take God, a supportive community, and a team of savvy individuals to empower people to overcome these obstacles. If we want to see healing and change in Johnson County, we must all work together to make a way for this to happen,” says Sharon Garrett, founder and executive director of Safe Haven. 

Barriers contribute to higher recidivism rates in our prison system. Even after an individual’s debt to society has been paid, the abundance of experienced barriers can create a sense of hopelessness and despair as individuals find themselves trapped under the label “felon.” Within our own county, organizations such as Safe Haven and Next Step Recovery Housing work tirelessly to lower individuals's barriers to success and provide a way forward.

Creating a community that supports second chances requires individuals, employers, churches, agencies, and organizations to believe that true change is possible and help lower the barriers for this amazing transformation. “Believe me, at Safe Haven we have seen lives transformed. People can overcome past horrible mistakes and make a bright and new future for themselves,” says Abigail Garrett, Director of Safe Haven’s Drug and Alcohol Counseling Division.