SECOND CHANCE JUSTICE
Second Chance Justice (SCJ) is an interfaith coalition of people of varied backgrounds and beliefs who share a common commitment to undoing the legacy of mass incarceration. As a campaign of the Massachusetts Communities Action Network, Second Chance Justice is driven by a belief in redemption and the transformative power of compassion.
SCJ is comprised of returning citizens and those who are privileged to stand in solidarity with them
SCJ works for a more equitable system of justice for all by amplifying the voices of people most directly impacted by mass incarceration
SCJ elevates their stories to promote an urgency for change by looking to them to help us deepen our understanding of the impact of injustice
In 2020 and 2021, Second Chance Justice organized and advocated for the Governor, Advisory Board of Pardons, and Governor's Council to grant one of the first two commutations of a first degree life sentence in Massachusetts in 25 years. As a result, SCJ’s organizing campaign opened the door to systemic changes in the clemency process in Massachusetts.
William Allen’s return home from a life without parole sentence was made possible through the organizing of Second Chance Justice. In fall 2022, he celebrated his return to the Brockton community with a public event accompanied by Game Lauture, Executive Director of MCAN affiliate Brockton Interfaith Community (left) and former New England Patriots team member Devin McCourty (right).
Second Chance Justice leaders William Allen and Alice Thompson share their stories of working with SCJ at MCAN’s Carry It On event in November 2024.
After organizing for commutation of William Allen’s life without parole sentence, MCAN’s Second Chance Justice (SCJ) witnessed first-hand the barriers faced by William and others returning home from incarceration. Systemic barriers and lack of support make true freedom unattainable for many. We all lose when a large segment of the public is denied the ability to thrive and so SCJ has made a commitment to organize for reform of the reentry system in Massachusetts. SCJ is currently building its capacity to bring about this big change– by training, strengthening, and expanding its leadership team; building relationships with people in our community with experiences in reentry in Massachusetts; building relationships with potential allies - - like-minded organizations, public officials, and businesses; empowering returning citizens to share their stories; and educating the public about the gross injustices and unnecessary barriers faced by our formerly incarcerated brothers and sisters.
Join Second Chance Justice’s Mailing List:
COMING SOON - SPRING 2025
SECOND CHANCE JUSTICE TEACH-INS ON ZOOM OR IN PERSON:
Hear the stories of formerly incarcerated people struggling for true freedom
Learn about the broken and unjust aspects of our current reentry system
Discover SCJ’s vision for change and how you can be a part of it
TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT UPCOMING TEACH-INS PLEASE EMAIL secondchancejusticema@gmail.com
SUBJECT LINE: SCJ TEACH-IN SCHEDULE