by Marcus Willock

Created on: June 01, 2008   Last Updated: September 07, 2011

During the President's speech at the signing of The Second Chance Act, he said, "The country was built on the belief that each human being has limitless potential and worth. Everybody matters. We believe that even those who have struggled with a dark past can find brighter days ahead." If what he said is true, then why would he sign an act that will hide a criminal's offenses from the American public?

The Second Chance Act has nothing to do with locking people up. Instead, it will expunge the records of certain non-violent criminals. The people eligible for this act are non-violent criminals who have done what their judge has asked of them. To get a better understanding of whom these people are, we must first know what crimes are classified as non-violent.

Non-violent crimes can be defined as property, drug, and public order offenses that were committed without the use of violence. Most of these crimes involve drug trafficking, drug possession, burglary, or larceny.

Under The Second Chance Act, the ex-offender does not have to tell anyone of his past offenses. Thus, he is able to lie on documents such as a job application or a leasing agreement. Furthermore, if anyone breathes word of this person's expunged offenses, they can be fined or imprisoned for up to a year. Ultimately, these rules make The Second Chance Act harmful to both the ex-offenders and society.

Consider this. What is to stop an ex-alcoholic from applying for a job at a bar or any other establishment that sells liquor? The answer is nothing. The same can be said for an ex-drug trafficker who wants to work at a pharmacy, or an ex-larcenist who wants to work at Wal-Mart. Under The Second Chance Act, these people have the perfect opportunity to relapse into their bad habits. No one can stop them because if they attempt to, they will be fined or sent to prison. This act gives the ex-offenders total responsibility over controlling their weaknesses, which is a horrible idea because, as any rehabilitated addict will tell you, the desire to relapse never disappears.

Ex-offenders who do choose to relapse will become an unnecessary burden on society. Employers will now have drug addicts and larcenist bypassing background checks and becoming employees. The employees will now be subjected to witnessing and dealing with the unpleasant acts of a relapsing co-worker. The customers, who consist of everyone from parents to children, will also be forced to interact with these relapsing ex-offenders. All of these complications will arise as the direct result of the public being kept in the dark about a criminal's past offensives. Thus, if you want to preserve the tranquility of your business and/or society, you will say no to The Second Chance act.

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