State of Oregon, Governor's Reentry Council, Transitional Housing Initiative

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 Oregon Department of Corrections will use the grant funds to develop the "Transitional Housing Initiative" to improve outcomes for men and women released to post-prison supervision. The Transitional Housing Initiative will support the expansion of comprehensive reentry services that include transitional housing to approximately 200 high/medium risk offenders, all of whom are homeless when they are released from prison. The goals of this Initiative are to: (1) reduce recidivism for the target population, (2) increase compliance and successful completion of supervision, (3) build long-term stability through employment and acquisition of permanent housing, (4) build long-term stability through participation in alcohol/drug treatment and mental health treatment as needed, (5) increase participation in education, and (6) increase financial responsibility through the payment of child support and restitution.

CA/NCF