Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $755,000)
The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.
The City of Jackson will use Fiscal Year 2009 Congressionally Selected Awards funds to restore former offenders to productive roles in society through comprehensive services that remove barriers to meaningful employment and teach skills needed to enter the workforce and live within the law. The Mayor's Second Chance program is designed to help those felony offenders find legitimate employment by supporting them in their job search and offering limited opportunities for remunerative work training in Jackson-Madison County, Tennessee. The program will consist of adults who have been convicted of non-violent felony offenses and either sentenced to community supervision or released from prison or the penal farm within 12 months of the first day of class. In addition, the program will offer incentives to potential employers that agree to hire the program participants. It is anticipated that a minimum of 40 adults will complete the Program during the grant period.
NCA/NCF