Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2010, $747,006)
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 Cook County Sheriff's Office will us the FY 2010 SCA funds to re-invigorate the five existing Cook County re-entry programs. The grant funds will be used for enhancement of the pre-release and planning process, improvement of awareness and coordination of existing aftercare services, and increase in access to post-release services within these existing programs for participants from three specific targeted communities. These targeted communities have proven over time to be the highest source area for original offenses as well as highest in re-offenders. The funds will help with the current re-entry programs, to include operation of a day reporting center, pre-release center, Department of Women's Justice Services, boot camp, and a pilot program for the general sentenced male population.
CA/NCF