Second Chances Resource Library

This report begins by examining the evidence supporting second look bills. It then presents in-depth accounts of three reform efforts that can be models for the nation:

• California’s 2018 law (Assembly Bill 2942), which allows district attorneys to initiate resentencings
• Washington, DC’s Second Look Amendment Act (2020), which allows those who committed crimes as emerging adults—under age 25—to petition for resentencing after 15 years of imprisonment
• New York State’s Elder Parole bill, which would allow people aged 55 and older who have served 15 or more years in prison to receive a parole hearing

To implement a second look policy that can effectively correct sentencing excesses of the past, The Sentencing Project recommends instituting an automatic sentence review process within a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, with a rebuttable presumption of resentencing, and intentionally addressing anticipated racial disparities.

This resource briefly summarizes why second look laws are needed and lays out key principles for developing effective second look laws.

This fact sheet summarizes the evidence showing that the vast majority of people who commit crimes – even very serious crimes – naturally grow out of criminal behavior as they mature.

This report calls on the federal government to pass and implement a “second look at sentencing” provision to allow courts to examine sentences now considered excessive and reduce sentences when they can no longer be justified by public safety needs.