City of Dallas Ex-Offender Reentry Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The City of Dallas will define and develop a premier re-entry system that provides assistance to ex-offenders for their re-integration into the community. The Dallas Prisoner Re-entry Program will provide coordination, planning, and organization of re-entry services for ex-offenders who are at least 18-years old, residents of the City of Dallas, and on parole for a non-violent felony offense. Participants' income must not exceed moderate- to low-income guidelines set forth by HUD. The re-entry program will serve as a national model, with an emphasis on an evaluation system using evidence-backed strategies and tools. This program will serve as a central coordinating point to address deficiencies in existing services; lead to the creation of a one-stop re-entry system with readily available information; eliminate or reduce duplication of efforts and better use of available resources; establish the continuum of community-based services; and document evidence of services and the impact of those services.

NCA/NCF