An adult reentry program

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 Wilmington will use the grant funds for an adult reentry program, which will be provided in a transitional living setting, with an overall goal to reduce recidivism among persons with substance abuse and other mental health diagnoses through intensive supportive services. The New Hanover County Reentry Task Force created a Reentry Strategic Plan, featuring the Leading into New Communities (LINC) as the implementing organization for the Second Chance Act grant award program. LINC's target population is 100 male and female inmates, over 18 years of age, who have a history of substance abuse (some with a dual diagnosis) to receive a pre-release risk/needs assessment followed by case management and pre-release programming in preparation for release into LINC's fifty-bed residential reentry program. The goal is a drug-free status and no criminal activity for each of its clients for one year after release from prison. The task force is composed of extensive collaboration between Corrections, public safety, health, employment, education, treatment organizations, and the City of Wilmington. Specifically, the grant funds will be expended for project staff salaries and benefits, contracts for psychiatric services and substance abuse counseling, and grants management (City of Wilmington).

CA/NCF