Feds Sink $58 Million into Reentry Programs
In a shocking turn of events, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the federal government will be handing out $58 million in funding to support reentry programs aimed at reducing recidivism and providing services for those leaving prison. The Second Chance Act grant funding, totaling $58.5 million, will be split among 98 different projects across the country.
The funding will be used for a variety of programs, including family-based substance abuse treatment, treatment for returning prisoners with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders, adult and juvenile reentry demonstration projects, state, local, and tribal reentry courts, adult mentoring programs, and technology career training projects for incarcerated adults and juveniles. ‘Thanks to the collaborative efforts of law enforcement leaders, community-based organizations, and departments of corrections – as well as a variety of groundbreaking projects that have been funded through Second Chance Act grant awards – a number of states have shown significant reductions in the three-year recidivism rate,’ said Attorney General Holder.
In addition to the funding, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is also awarding $6.1 million to seven states for programs aimed at achieving reductions in baseline recidivism rates through planning, capacity-building, and implementing effective and evidence-based interventions. The Adult Offender Comprehensive Statewide Recidivism Reduction Demonstration Program is just one of the many new initiatives that will be funded by the BJA.
‘Second Chance Act funding enables states, localities and tribes to identify, target and serve moderate and high risk individuals reentering communities,’ said BJA Director Denise E. O’Donnell. ‘The reentry process begins when an individual enters incarceration and ends upon successful reintegration in the community. Using these evidence –based interventions results in safer and healthier communities.’
The Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will also be awarding nearly $1.8 million to support four new juvenile reentry demonstration projects.
Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Mary Lou Leary echoed Holder’s sentiments, stating, ‘Rentry efforts can result in less crime, lower recidivism, fewer victims and improved public safety. These are critical goals of the criminal justice field, and we are working to give communities the tools, support and guidance to achieve these goals.’
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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