Doorways Re-entry Program

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities. There are currently over 2.3 million individuals serving time in federal and state prisons, and millions of people cycling through local jails every year. Ninety-five percent of all prisoners incarcerated today will eventually be released and will return to communities. The Second Chance Act will help ensure the transition individuals make from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful. Section 211 of the Act authorizes grants to nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for mentoring projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated.

The Second Chance Act grant programs are designed to strengthen jurisdictions characterized by large numbers of returning offenders. 'Reentry' is not envisioned to be a specific program but rather an evidence-based process that begins with initial incarceration and ends with successful community reintegration, indicated by lack of recidivism. Per the Second Chance Act, funded mentoring projects should use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders included in the project's target population. Program components must include mentoring adult offenders during incarceration, through transition back to the community, and post-release; transitional services to assist in the reintegration of offenders into the community; and training regarding offender and victims issues.

Applicant agencies/organizations are expected to demonstrate their capability to deliver or broker the provision of transitional services proposed to be offered in conjunction with the core mentoring component. Examples of 'transitional services' designed to increase success in reentry and thus reduce recidivism might include the establishment of a pre-release mentoring relationship, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management.

Families of Incarcerated Individuals (FII) will use the FY 2009 Second Chance Act Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations funds to expand reintegration services to better serve the needs of 100 returning female offenders within Mark Luttrell Correctional Center (MLCC). The overall project goal is prepare and assist 100 MLCC female offenders in achieving successful reintegration into society. In order to accomplish this goal, FII will: (1) Administer the pre and post mentoring program in collaboration with the faith-based division, Noble Healer, Inc. (NH); (2) provide a training program for mentors on best practices; (3) increase employment opportunities of released offenders by providing program participants with 13 weeks of industry recognized job training; (4) facilitate the provision alcohol and drug treatment; (5) facilitate the provision of mental health services; (6)provide family reunification and support services; and (7) offer case management services. In addition to housing, FII through West Tennessee Coalition of Offender Reentry (WESTCORE) will provide other transitional services to ex-offenders such as an assignment of a counselor, services of an employment specialist, and random drug screening while residing in the various facilities. FII will offer case management services in the final phase of the program. Offenders will receive additional job training, counseling, other comprehensive aftercare services as appropriate for a 12-month period upon release.

CA/NCF