Central ND News

WASHINGTON - Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force Co-Chairs Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), David Trone (D-MD), John Rutherford (R-FL), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) joined JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon to host a roundtable discussion on creating and improving employment opportunities for individuals with criminal records. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark were also in attendance. 

During the roundtable, the group discussed the importance of working with the private sector to break down barriers to employment for people with criminal records. Earlier this year, the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force co-chairs introduced the Fresh Start Act to streamline the sealing of eligible arrest records for individuals who have served their time and remained crime-free. The legislation, endorsed by the JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter, would make employment more attainable for the millions of people who are eligible to have their records cleared but can’t because the current process is far too expensive, time-consuming, and complicated.

The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people is an estimated 27 percent – more than five times the overall national rate. People who have been convicted of a crime can expect to earn at least 20%, on average, less than their peers. With access to a good job and a steady income, people with criminal records can more easily access housing, health care, and many other fundamental needs we often take for granted. The continued employment barriers for justice-involved individuals have real costs to the US economy, costing about $87 billion annually in lost economic output, but just as importantly, to individuals, families, and communities.

“We can pass policy all day long, but in order for people getting out of prison to succeed, they must have two things: a place to live and a place to work. That takes engagement from the business community. I appreciate JPMorgan Chase’s willingness to give people second chances,” said Congressman Kelly Armstrong.

“Second chances create opportunity for individuals, deliver results for employers and strengthen the economy,” said Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase. “Congress should build on common-sense reforms like the recently passed Fair Hiring in Banking Act, which opens up employment opportunities and supports the economy, communities and families. With increased partnership across the public and private sectors, we can work to better tap the talents of millions of Americans currently on the sidelines and generate real, equitable growth across the country.”

“When I was CEO of my company, I hired over 1,400 formerly incarcerated individuals, and I can tell you firsthand that these folks work hard — and they deserve a second chance. Even more so, studies show that getting these folks jobs is good for business and our entire economy,” said Congressman David Trone. “I’d like to thank Jamie Dimon for joining the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force to raise awareness about the benefits of hiring returning citizens. We need everyone – from advocacy organizations to Fortune 500 companies – to help us move the needle on this issue, and I believe that today we took an important step in the right direction to building an opportunity pipeline for returning citizens.” 

“During my career as sheriff, I created a robust reentry program in Northeast Florida and saw firsthand how steady employment empowers formerly incarcerated individuals to secure stable housing and healthcare and achieve success after completing their sentence,” said Congressman John Rutherford. “These individuals deserve a second chance. Helping those who were formerly incarcerated become productive members of society through employment makes our communities safer and reduces the number of repeat offenders. That’s not being soft on crime, that’s being smart on crime!”

“As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, we’ve seen compelling evidence that justice-involved individuals can make an incredible impact in our workforce, helping to unleash our full economic potential,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “In Delaware, companies like JPMorgan Chase have been at the forefront of unleashing that potential, which is why I was so thrilled CEO Jamie Dimon joined the Bipartisan Second Chance Taskforce to discuss the work we’re doing in Congress to expand opportunity.” 

“America faces a mass incarceration epidemic, and Congress has worked together in a bipartisan fashion to pass groundbreaking criminal justice reforms like the First Step Act. The Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force is carrying that legacy forward to break down barriers to employment for formerly incarcerated individuals so that everyone can bring their God-given skills, talent and ability to life in their communities,” said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “I thank Task Force Co-Chairs Representatives David Trone, Lisa Blunt Rochester, John Rutherford and Kelly Armstrong for bringing the knowledge and insight of Jamie Dimon and his perspective on the private sector to the Capitol for this important conversation.”

“The number of incarcerated women in America is six times higher than it was four decades ago,” said Democratic Whip Clark. “More than half of those women have a child under the age of 18. This crisis of overincarceration is devastating families across the country, and I’m grateful for the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force’s continued work to advance justice and fair opportunity for returning citizens.”

The Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force aims to improve reentry outcomes and reduce employment barriers for returning citizens. During the 118th Congress, Representatives David Trone (D-MD), John Rutherford (R-FL), Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) launched the Task Force to promote second chances for the over 600,000 individuals who are released from state and federal prisons every year in the United States. By introducing bipartisan policy and working with leaders in the private and public sector, the Task Force is bringing attention to this growing problem.

Original source can be found here.