Coming Home Full Circle: Restorative Reentry in Vermont

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 into communities and the subsequent challenges communities face as offenders attempt to reintegrate into society. 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 Vermont Department of Corrections (VT DOC) will use their FY 10 Second Chance Act: State Demonstration funds ($365,000) to develop Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs) for 24 high risk offenders that will be reentering the community. VT DOC will award sub-grants to municipal locally-based Community Justice Centers (CJCs) for the development and operation of COSAs. By providing COSAs for 24 high-risk offenders, who will be returning to VT communities, Vermont will be able to improve public safety. VT DOC will also have the opportunity to assess the effectiveness combining formal corrections supervision with the citizens-based source of informal social control and civic connection offered through COSAs. Ultimately, this process will allow the VT DOC to improve its reentry practices by identifying service gaps and barriers to successful reintegration.

CA/NCF