Second Chance Act Reentry Demonstration Project

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 New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) will advance its efforts in reentry by developing an innovative and comprehensive reentry approach with four components: 1) Advanced Academic Achievement; 2) Reentry Preparation; 3) Family Reunification and Transition; and 4) Employment Readiness and Retention. NJDOC will target young adult male inmates under supervision of the NJDOC, who are within 12-18 months of their parole eligibility or maximum expiration date, and who will be released from Wagner to one of the following counties: Camden, Hudson, Atlantic, or Passaic. Seventy-five inmates will be targeted to participate in the project. NJDOC uses a variety of empirically-based, validated measurements and comprehensive assessments to determine risk and need. All potential state inmates will be screened and assessed to determine eligibility based on criminal record and geographic location. Those inmates deemed eligible will be recommended for assignment under the Second Chance Act Initiative.

CA/NCF