Governor Burgum Declares April ‘Second Chance Month’

April 2022 Proclaimed 'Second Chance Month''

According to a press release issued by North Dakota's DOCR (Department of Corrections an Rehabilitation), this is an effort to recognize the reform and rehabilitation of criminal justice-involved individuals.

The new proclamation states that 70 million Americans have a criminal record. It reads as follows:

"Every person is endowed with human dignity and value and redemption, and second chances are American values."

The Backstory:

Second Chance month coincides with the death of a prisoner rehabilitation advocate, Charles Colson, who passed away on April 21st, 2012.

Colson founded something called "Prison Fellowship." If you're not familiar with "Prison Fellowship," I'll explain. It's an outreach program/non-profit organization for prisoners and their families. It was founded by a man named Charles Colson. Prison Fellowship operates under the belief that the best way to make communities safer and healthier is to take a restorative approach to prisoners, former prisoners and those affected by crime and incarceration.

Dan Kingery, the Executive VP of Prison Fellowship issued a statement regarding thee news of Gov. Burgum's declaration.

“North Dakota is a leader in understanding that reentry begins the day someone enters the system, not the day of release. We’re so grateful to the Governor and the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for their partnership in investing in the lives and potential of those behind bars, who are seeking to live out a second chance," said Kingery.

The Official Declaration