Every April, we observe Second Chance Month, a time dedicated to offering those who have been incarcerated the opportunity to rebuild their lives. However, before we talk about second chances, we need to ask an uncomfortable question: “Were they offered a fair first chance?”
Countless individuals who find themselves incarcerated were deprived of the opportunities others often take for granted. Factors such as poverty, trauma, racial disparities, and inadequate access to quality education frequently pave the way to incarceration long before any crime occurs. Nevertheless, when individuals impacted by the justice system endeavor to reconstruct their lives, society often frames their journey as a second chance—as if they had an equal first chance to begin with.
And then, there are those who are denied second chances altogether- people like Phillip A. Jones, who has spent 34 years in prison despite never having a fair first chance to begin with.
Phillip’s Story: The First Chance That Never Was.
Raised in the inner city of Baltimore, Phillip Jones faced insurmountable challenges from an early age. With both parents ensnared by addiction, Phillip found himself shouldering responsibilities beyond his years, caring for his younger siblings amidst poverty and instability, in a system devoid of support.
Sentenced to life plus 20 years at the age of nineteen for a non-homicidal offense, Phillip has transformed himself over these 34 years. Despite proving his capacity for change and accomplishment, and unlike those granted second chances, Phillip was never afforded a first. His narrative remains absent from discussions on redemption and justice.
Despite being designated as a "Lifer" and assigned the lowest priority for rehabilitation, Phillip defiantly chose not to allow the system to dictate his future. He actively sought educational and personal growth opportunities through external organizations, a rare yet admirable endeavor within the incarcerated community.
Phillip has also set himself apart as the author of two profound works, "Exit 2 Excellence" and "From Risk 2 Resilience," and has co-authored two additional volumes. As the host of the podcast "The Wall Behind and Beyond," he illuminates the deep challenges of incarceration, mental health, trauma, and the urgent need for justice reform.
When an individual commits an offense resulting in incarceration, they face legal consequences, but unlike some transgressions that escape legal scrutiny, incarceration imposes a lasting stigma that shadows individuals well beyond their confinement. A prison sentence is meant to be a consequence, not a permanent label. Yet, society persistently views formerly incarcerated people, and incarcerated people through the lens of their gravest errors.
Employers exhibit reluctance to employ them. Housing remains elusive. Educational prospects are restricted. Instead of enabling forward progression, we confine these individuals within an enduring cycle of punishment that transcends both the courtroom and prison confines.
The conversation about second chances should include people who are serving long sentences, life without parole (LWP) and life sentences like Phillip. These individuals are often written off by society, even though many have transformed their lives. The truth is time, changes people. Someone sentenced at 19 is not the same person at 40, 50, or 60. Yet, we have built a justice system that locks people away for decades, even life, without acknowledging that growth and changes are possible.
If we genuinely embrace the concept of rehabilitation, it is imperative to involve those who have been incarcerated for extended periods in dialogues about second chances. This necessitates a reevaluation of parole policies, clemency provisions, and sentencing reforms that emphasize redemption over mere punishment.
Second Chance Month should transcend the notion of merely offering another opportunity post-incarceration; it ought to focus on ensuring the existence of initial opportunities for all. This imperative includes those serving extended sentences.
In this Second Chance Month, let us contemplate the essence of true justice. Authentic justice is not solely about granting redemption retrospectively but about ensuring equitable opportunities from the outset, acknowledging the potential for personal transformation irrespective of the duration of incarceration. By fostering genuine first opportunities for everyone, the necessity for subsequent chances diminishes.
Authentic justice requires us to do more than offer a second chance after someone has already fallen through the cracks. It calls us to interrogate why so many fall through in the first place. It challenges us to look at the systems, the disparities, the traumas, and the missed opportunities that lead so many people into the justice system to begin with.
Redemption is powerful, but prevention is transformative. The goal should never be simply giving people a second chance after they’ve broken, but to ensure they have a real first chance-an equitable, supported, and dignified chance at life, at freedom, and at fulfilling their purpose. Because when people are given access to education, to housing, to mental health support, to safety, and opportunity from the beginning, we reduce the need for second chances.
Op-Ed Written by Dr. Clover A Perez
