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From the Desk of the County Manager, April 10, 2026

Celebrating Second Chance Month and Durham’s Commitment to Second Chances
April 10, 2026

Greetings Durham!

I am Roshanna Humphrey, Director of Durham County Justice Services Department. I am excited to be a guest columnist this week and to share important information regarding Second Chance Month. This month, we join with others across the country in the celebration of Second Chance Month. Governor Josh Stein and Durham County Board Chair Commissioner Michael “Mike” Lee have both proclaimed April 2026 as Second Chance Month in North Carolina and Durham respectively.

Second Chance Month

Second Chance Month is observed every April in the United States to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with justice involvement.  Prison Fellowship, one of the largest nonprofit agencies dedicated to serving prisoners and their families launched Second Chance Month in 2017. Since that time, it has been recognized by numerous U.S. Presidents, the U. S. Senate and over 35 States. April is also the anniversary of the federal Second Chance Act.

Second Chance Act

The Second Chance Act, enacted in 2008, is designed to reduce recidivism rates and enhance public safety by providing support in four key areas: employment, housing, substance abuse and mental health treatment and family support. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act (2025) aims to improve services related to substance use disorders and housing for individuals reentering society. The continuous improvements and enhancements to the act clearly demonstrate the importance of effective reentry partnerships and strategies to support this work.

Durham’s Commitment to Second Chances

Durham County Justice Services Department (JSD) is committed to supporting justice involved individuals as they navigate the challenges and barriers associated with transition from incarceration and/or correctional supervision back into the community. Durham’s Local Reentry Council (LRC), established in 2017, is a clear example of the commitment that Durham has made to support our justice involved residents.

  • County Positions

Since 2007, Durham County Justice Services Department has partnered with other County departments to provide paid work experience to JSD clients.  These paid work experience jobs offer clients an opportunity to work in another department as a temporary worker and gain valuable work experience as they receive a living wage.  These positions have been incredibly successful and have led to some beginning a career with local government.

  • Transitional House

Durham County Justice Services Department operates a six-bed transitional house for male clients of any JSD program.  This house offers additional support and is managed by contracted staff 24/7.  Residents of the house can seek and obtain employment while attending programming.  Once they have established income, they work with staff to develop a savings plan to move into longer-term housing. 

  • Reentry Housing Support

Durham LRC works with clients to locate emergency, short-term and long-term housing. Durham LRC can provide financial assistance for an established time period while participants attend programming and work with staff to establish savings plans. The LRC partners with several recovery houses, traditional houses, and landlords to provide short term transitional housing for unhoused clients.  

  • Community Partnerships

Durham LRC has developed strong partnerships within the community to provide wrap around support for clients and advocate for the justice involved. Among those partners are Step Up Durham, Welcome Home, NC Works, The Religious Coalition for a Non-Violent Durham, Durham Technical Community College, Durham CAN, City of Durham HEART Team, to name a few.

List of Second Chance Month Activities

  • We kicked off the month by chalking up the parking lot and painting windows to raise awareness of Second Chance Month.
  • Durham LRC Staff attended the NC Department of Adult Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry Conference in Raleigh April 6-8, 2026.
  • JSD and Durham County Department of Public Health will partner and present “Balanced Bites: Preventing Diabetes and Hypertension Together,” which will include an information session and cooking class on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Justice Service Department’s Multi-Purpose Room.
  • “Reentry and Reconnection: A Family Reentry Talk” will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Elizbeth Street United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (1209 N. Elizabeth Street). A panel of individuals from various backgrounds will discuss how families can positively influence the reentry process. Everyone is welcome. Resources from community partners will be available.
  • “Hop Back In: A Reentry Sock Hop” is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  JSD invites all fellow departments and community partners to come out and enjoy retro activities and sport their best 50’s look. There will be food trucks, dancing, door prizes and best dressed awards all to support reentry efforts. Admission is one pair of new socks or $5 in hygiene products, which will be donated to clients in need. 

I would like to give special thanks to Robin Heath, JSD Assistant Director, for her consultation and expertise on this topic.

With warm regards,

Roshanna S. Humphrey