Richmond Second Chance Reentry Model

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 Richmond Second Chance Reentry Model (RSCRM) will use Second Chance Prisoner Reentry Initiative funds to implement evidence-based principles designed to increase returning offender success rates through effective criminogenic risk management, treatment programming, accountability, community/victim participation, employment readiness, and job creation. The Richmond City Sheriff's Office proposes to initiate the reentry process at the Richmond City Jail for 50 male and female inmates age 30 and older, sentenced to a minimum of six months, and who upon release will return to the north side of the city. This program will be overseen by the Richmond Regional Reentry Council and will focus on high risk offenders and families of offenders. Participants must have children with whom they have expressed a desire to continue or renew a relationship; having legal custody is not required. RSCRM will use components of national reentry evidence based practices that will include case management, mentoring, on the job training, transitional jobs, and permanent job placement. Participants will receive grant funded pre- and post-release services for a period of one year in three separate phases. By frontloading individualized case management, treatment services, and support networks immediately following incarceration, participants will be better equipped to meet life demands and become productive, law abiding citizens.

CA/NCF