Mercer County Inmate Community Reentry Program

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.

Mercer County will use their FY 09 Congressionally Mandated award in the amount of $215,000 for the Mercer County (Trenton-Ewing MSA) Inmate Community Reentry Program to improve the capacity of the Mercer County Correction Center to plan, manage, and improve community linkages for non-violent offenders transitioning back into the community. The overarching goal of the proposed project is to reduce the long-term recidivism rates of ex-inmates by enhancing efforts that foster successful reintegration. Specific project goals include: 1) providing evidence based, on-site and follow up case management for 50 discharged men and women each year; 2) assisting with and addressing needs for substance abuse and mental health services, income and employment, and housing; 3) opening up dialogue with police, probation officers, child welfare interests, and attorneys to find alternatives to re-incarceration and to better respond to persons released from corrections; 4) improving the ability of community programs to provide timely and appropriate response for persons who come into contact with the criminal justice system; and, 5) providing a vehicle for continued coordination and partnerships at a county level among mental health and criminal justice agencies.

NCA/NCF