Enhanced Jail Re-entry Services

The Congressionally Recommended Awards Program, authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects recommended by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-117, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 2010 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY2010 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.

Multnomah County, through the Department of Community Justice, will provide enhanced jail re-entry services to high-risk offenders aged 18-24 who compose one of the county's most challenging populations; and create technology-based improvements in their information-sharing system between the courts, law enforcement, parole and probation, and community providers that is the foundation of effective re-entry service planning. To achieve the first goal, DCJ will partner with Community Partners Reinvestment (CPR) which is a community-based program that helps high-risk young men who are returning to the community from prison remain crime- and drug-free. Together they will expand the prison re-entry program to address the needs of a similar population experiencing jail re-entry. They will serve at least 60 high-risk offenders over a two-year period.

To achieve the second goal, with support from the State Court System, Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office and the Multnomah County Re-entry Council will purchase a web-based application for creating, sharing and storing the Release on Your Own Recognizance Recog) interview form developed by the Oregon Judicial Department. The Recog interview includes a standardized risk-assessment form which rates each defendant's risk based on criminal history and other factors. The increased availability of this information will permanently enhance inter-agency collaborations on re-entry services.

NCA/NCF