When a Second Chance Matters

The incarcerated population in the United States is 3.9 million. In Indiana, that includes nearly 49,000 Hoosiers. Creating a pathway for this population to reenter the workforce is not only a responsibility. It also strengthens communities and supports economic development.

According to data from the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the cost of recidivism in Indiana exceeds $122 million. Guiding individuals through probation, parole, and reentry requires correctional supervision and support. We know that recidivism rates are lower when individuals have access to stable housing and employment during their supervision. Governor Braun’s Executive Order 25-46 directs the Indiana Department of Correction to expand services that reduce recidivism and help formerly incarcerated Hoosiers return to their communities.

At the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law, students are doing this important work through the Reentry Clinic. Led by Professor Lahny Silva, the clinic helps individuals under supervision obtain legal documents that are essential for employment, such as a driver’s license and employment eligibility verification. Professor Silva, who has led the clinic since 2021, is an expert in expungement and reentry law. She explains that students in the clinic also serve as mentors, guiding clients through every step. For each completed step, clients receive a certificate. After earning 12 certificates, they become eligible for early termination of their supervision, offering a real second chance at stable employment and daily life.

Professor Silva’s research, and the work of her students, are making a measurable difference in the lives of Hoosiers across the state. This is what an R1 university stands for - research and teaching that serve the public good.

Go Jags!

Latha Ramchand
Chancellor