Fulton County Georgia Second Chance 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.

Fulton County will use the grant funds to pilot a demonstration project that will serve at least 40 individuals annually and who are identified to be at a "high risk to re-offend" as determined by a fourth generation risk assessment tool. Substance abuse, mental illness, housing, healthcare needs, education, unemployment, and lack of a coordinated effort to address these needs among Fulton County's offenders are critical issues that must be addressed for successful reentry and reintegration into the community. The Fulton County's Offender Reentry Task Force has developed a comprehensive strategy aimed at reaching the following goals: (1) Reduce recidivism within the target population by 50% over 5 years; and (2) reduce the crime rate in the target geographic area.

CA/NCF