By: Ashley Furst, Director of Business Development & Community Engagement
For the past several years, April has been recognized across the country as Second Chance Month—a time to acknowledge the challenges faced by people returning from incarceration and to advocate for their right to rebuild their lives. At Breakthrough, we deeply believe in the power of second chances. But we also know that for many of the people we serve, a “second” chance assumes they had a fair first one. That’s why this April, we’re reframing the month as Fair Chance Month—a time to center equity, opportunity, and the truth that everyone deserves a real, fair shot at a better future.
What is Fair Chance Month?
Fair Chance Month is about more than redemption—it’s about removing systemic barriers that prevent justice-impacted individuals from accessing the opportunities they need to thrive. While the term “second chance” implies a return to something once held, many people impacted by incarceration were never given a fair chance to begin with—due to racism, poverty, trauma, and generational inequality.
People returning home often face immense barriers: securing a job, finding housing, accessing education, reuniting with their families. These challenges are not a reflection of their potential—they’re the product of systems designed to exclude.
Fair Chance Month is a call to action: to replace stigma with support, exclusion with opportunity, and punishment with possibility.
Understanding the Scope of Mass Incarceration
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly 2 million people confined in various correctional facilities. This includes 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, and other detention centers. Such extensive incarceration has profound societal and economic impacts.
Furthermore, approximately 1 in 5 individuals in jail are detained due to probation or parole violations, highlighting the challenges within the supervision system.
Why Fair Chances Matter
At Breakthrough, we believe in the power of people—not in spite of their past, but because of their strength, resilience, and potential. We’ve seen what’s possible when someone is met with compassion, resources, and the space to grow.
Fair chances aren’t handouts—they’re a matter of justice. When people are ready to do the work to rebuild their lives, they should have the opportunity to do so. That’s what Breakthrough is here for: to create paths where there were once only barriers.
When we create fair chances, we:
- Strengthen families,
- Reduce recidivism,
- Build safer, more connected communities.
Fair Chance Month isn’t about erasing accountability—it’s about opening the door to possibility. It’s about building a path forward, especially for those who’ve never been given one.
Why Breakthrough Recognizes Fair Chance Month
Breakthrough exists to support transformation—from the inside out. Our in-prison education, reentry programming, and community-based support are all rooted in one belief: every person has the power to break through systemic barriers and live to their fullest potential.
We recognize Fair Chance Month because:
- Fairness is central to our mission and vision for a more just society.
- Our participants deserve to be seen for who they are now—not just their past.
- We reject the stigma that labels people as “ex-offenders” or “criminals” instead of recognizing their humanity.
- We are committed to change—not just for individuals, but for the systems that continue to fail them.
The barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals are immense. Studies reveal that they experience an unemployment rate of over 27%, surpassing the peak U.S. unemployment rate during the Great Depression.
Moreover, nearly one-third of the adult working-age population in the U.S. has a criminal record, underscoring the widespread impact of incarceration on employment opportunities.
These statistics underscore the necessity of fair chances. Without equitable opportunities, individuals are at a higher risk of recidivism, perpetuating cycles of incarceration and poverty. Employment has been identified as a key factor in reducing recidivism, with unemployed individuals facing a 42.4% recidivism rate compared to 26.2% for those who are employed.
How You Can Support Fair Chance Month
This April, we invite you to stand with us in creating fair chances for all:
- Learn about the barriers justice-impacted individuals face—and how policy change can make a difference.
- Amplify the voices of people with lived experience.
- Support organizations like Breakthrough working to empower individuals during and after incarceration.
- Advocate for fair hiring practices, housing access, and reentry-friendly legislation.
Because Everyone Deserves a Breakthrough
Fair Chance Month isn’t about erasing accountability—it’s about opening the door to possibility. It’s about building a path forward, especially for those who’ve never been given one.
At Breakthrough, we walk that path with our participants every day. This April and beyond, we remain committed to a future where every person—regardless of their past—has a fair chance to thrive.
