Norfolk County Community Reentry 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.

Norfolk County will use the grant funds to support the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office (NCSO). The funds will be used to enhance the transitional services at the Dedham Alternative Center. Specifically, the project will focus on enhancement of the program through the development and enrichment of a reentry strategy to transition offenders from the Correctional Center to the community. The NCSO has a partnership with local law enforcement, MA Probation, MA Parole Board and the U.S. Attorney's Office. In coordination, the community reentry system will aim to provide a mentorship program to augment the transitional services for high risk offenders within the jail, the Dedham Alternative Center, and upon release in the community. The focus will be on population, as evidenced by their risk and needs assessments, which are the most likely to recidivate.

CA/NCF