2024 AR - Flipbook - Page 3
Why Second Chances Matter
Each year, thousands of individuals are released from Colorado’s prisons and jails — often with no housing
plan, no identification, and no support network. They face steep challenges to rebuilding their lives, and
without coordinated intervention, many are left to navigate reentry alone. These numbers are not just
statistics — they are the lived reality of the people we serve at Second Chance Center.
66%
27%
60%
25%
74%
Nationally, nearly 66% of individuals released from state prison are rearrested within
three years.
Formerly incarcerated individuals in Colorado face substantial employment barriers,
with about 27% unemployed — significantly higher than the general population’s 5%
unemployment rate.
Nationally, data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that about one-third of
formerly incarcerated individuals remain unemployed four years after release.
60% of individuals lack vital documentation, including ID, birth certificate, and Social
Security card upon release. Without these, they are unable to access housing, gain
employment, or receive benefits.
25% of formerly incarcerated individuals in Colorado experience homelessness within a
year of release.
THE REENTRY CRISIS
15,347
The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) reported an average daily inmate
population of 15,347
Over 74% of incarcerated individuals in Colorado have a diagnosed mental health
condition or history of substance misuse
1
