Allegheny County Reentry Initiative

The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders. Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders. Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

The Allegheny County will continue to operate the Allegheny County Reentry Initiative, an effort of the Allegheny County Jail Collaborative to improve safety for the public, corrections officers and staff, and reduce recidivism of persons leaving the Allegheny County Jail. They will link sentenced inmates with service coordination, education/job readiness, treatment, family supports, and other services in jail six months prior to release; prepare them for discharge, and connect them with similar and on-going supports in the community.

NCA/NCF

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) reflects a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities. There are currently 2.3 million people serving time in our 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 people make from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful. Section 101 of the Act, in addition to providing grants to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for demonstration reentry projects, also allows for the establishment of a National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center.

The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders. Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

The county of Allegheny will use the FY 2012 SCA grant funds to continue to operate the Allegheny County Reentry Initiative, an effort of the Allegheny County Jail Collaborative to improve safety for the public, corrections officers and staff, and reduce recidivism of persons leaving the Allegheny County Jail. The Allegheny County will use the supplemental funds to link sentenced inmates with service coordination, education/job readiness, treatment, family supports, and other services in jail six months prior to release; prepare them for discharge, and connect them with similar and on-going supports in the community. The target population will include additional 100 adult men and women from the sentenced population (in the County Jail).

CA/NCF