Second Chance Month focuses on reentry, rehabilitation

April marks Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to recognize the importance of rehabilitation and reentry for justice-involved individuals.

At CDCR this month is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to restoring lives through innovative programming, strong community partnerships, and a belief in the power of transformation.

Second Chance Month began in 2017 as a bipartisan resolution from the U.S. Senate and has since grown into a national movement, with support from federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofits, and advocates across the country. In California, it is formally recognized each April by underscoring our state’s commitment to second chances as a cornerstone of public safety and social justice.

CDCR plays a vital role in California’s reentry ecosystem by providing individuals with the tools, skills, and support needed to rebuild their lives and become contributing members of their communities. The department’s rehabilitative model emphasizes education, vocation, treatment, and reentry services throughout an individual’s incarceration and beyond.

Through the Division of Rehabilitative Programs (DRP), CDCR delivers a range of services designed to address the root causes of criminal behavior and promote long-term stability.

These include:

“I needed this program to stay sober and to reunify with my children. I want to go back to having my own place,” said a participant in the Female Offender Treatment and Employment Program. (Read the story on the program in Pomona.)

Youth peer mentor graduates sitting during a ceremony at VSP. — Youth Peer Mentor Program at Valley State Prison.

Beyond DRP, CDCR supports a variety of self-help and community-based programs facilitated by volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and peer mentors.

These groups provide opportunities for reflection, accountability, spiritual growth, and healing—essential components for individuals working to rebuild their lives.

California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) also plays a key role in rehabilitation, delivering trauma-informed mental health and medical care. Their patient-centered approach ensures individuals have access to consistent treatment during incarceration and upon reentry.

Rehabilitation doesn’t end at the prison gates. The Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) provides essential reentry support that helps individuals transition successfully back into their communities.

This includes:

These efforts are strengthened through partnerships with community-based organizations, local governments, and employers across the state. Together, we’re removing barriers and opening doors to opportunity.