Newark Prisoner Reentry 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.

City of Newark will use the grant funds to support the Newark Prisoner Reentry Initiative. This project will include provision of reentry services around case management, mentoring, transitional employment, and job development. The services will be provided to approximately 150 formerly incarcerated individuals, between the ages of 18 and 24 years old, with at least one conviction for a violent crime. This reentry strategy will target the criminogenic needs of the population and, consequently, lower the recidivism rate among the target group. Services will include pre-release planning, case management, job development and retention, and support services. The grant funds will be expended for staff salaries and benefits, supplies, and contracts for social services, case management, job training, local transportation, and miscellaneous short term costs for participants.

CA/NCF