Second Chance Month means nothing without real reform.
Gov. Josh Stein proclaimed April to be Second Chance Month in North Carolina, a time to recognize the challenges faced by people with criminal records and to advocate for meaningful reform. While the idea of a “second chance” is celebrated, the reality is that the door to opportunity remains shut for the more than 18,000 people released each year from North Carolina’s prisons. Without access to stable jobs and financial independence, many end up back behind bars or continually “justice involved,” which means having interactions with the criminal justice system.
In North Carolina, there are about 125,000 people who are incarcerated or under community supervision. According to a recent study by the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, 49% of those released from incarceration in the state are rearrested within two years. One of the main contributors to this staggering recidivism rate is the inability to find meaningful employment.
A study from the Prison Policy Initiative found that the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated individuals in the US is nearly five times higher than the general population. It comes down to the fact that most employers conduct background checks. Even a quick internet search often reveals a past record, regardless of whether the offense was nonviolent and many years old.
With limited employment options, financial stability becomes unattainable, and the likelihood of reoffending increases.
If we are serious about supporting successful reentry, we should work to dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent people who are justice involved from rebuilding their lives. Here are three possible solutions:
1. Expunge criminal records from internet search results after a certain time period
In the United States, if someone goes bankrupt, there is no searchable evidence of that bankruptcy after 10 years. However, if you make a mistake with something as simple as failure to appear or a DUI, your record appears in internet searches in perpetuity. These search engine results undermine even the most prepared job applicants. This goes directly against the basic American idea that everyone deserves a second chance.
A sensible reform would involve requiring search engines and third-party data aggregators to remove criminal records from search results after a designated period, particularly for nonviolent offenses. If Google can tweak its algorithms to demote low-quality content in search results, it can give people who have been incarcerated a way to expunge their record from Google after a period of time or through some fair process.
This policy would provide a genuine opportunity for individuals to move on with their lives without their past defining their future.
2. Provide tax credits to employers who hire justice-involved individuals
Financial incentives can be a powerful tool in encouraging businesses to hire people with criminal records. A tax credit program specifically designed for employers who hire formerly incarcerated individuals would reduce perceived risks and encourage companies to make these hires.
While the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) offers some benefits, they are only available to employers of individuals who have been convicted of a felony or released from prison for a felony within the last year. Offering tiered incentives based on retention rates could further encourage long-term employment and stability.
3. Support entrepreneurship for ex-offenders
Not every returning citizen will find traditional employment opportunities, but entrepreneurship provides an alternative path. Starting a small business allows individuals to take control of their financial future and contribute positively to their communities.
Unlike corporate hiring managers, customers rarely ask small-business owners about their criminal backgrounds. They care about the quality of the product or service. Entrepreneurship training programs and mentorship initiatives can help people with criminal records build sustainable businesses.
Organizations like Inmates to Entrepreneurs, which I started here in North Carolina more than 30 years ago, have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. By equipping individuals with practical skills and ongoing support, these programs foster economic independence.
Second Chance Month serves as a reminder that redemption and rehabilitation are possible — but only if we remove the significant obstacles that stand in the way. With a few exceptions (like those who are descended from slaves or Native Americans), all of our ancestors started anew and got a second chance by coming to the United States. In this way, the second chance is not a concept — it is central to what we are all about. Today, we are not living up to this basic principle.
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