Cuyahoga County Adult Reentry Demonstration Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of incarcerated adults and juveniles who are released from prison, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and returning to communities. The Second Chance Act will help ensure that the transition individuals make from prison, jail, or juvenile residential facilities to the community is successful and promotes public safety. Section 101 of the Act authorizes grants to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration. The goal of Section 101 of the Second Chance Act is to provide support to eligible applicants for the development and implementation of comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by reentry to increase public safety and reduce recidivism. The objectives of this program are to provide offenders with appropriate evidence-based servicesincluding addressing individual criminogenic needsbased on a reentry plan that relies on a risk/needs assessment that reflects the risk of recidivism for that offender.

Two categories for adult offender reentry programs were funded. Category 1 (planning grant) recipients will constitute jurisdictions which have demonstrated a commitment to establishing a reentry program, and have made progress on the 10 mandatory requirements of a comprehensive reentry program, but have not yet fully completed each step. In addition to funding, successful Category 1 recipients will receive targeted technical assistance to help them in the planning process. Category 2 (implementation grant) recipients must include specific strategies for implementing the 10 mandatory requirements of a comprehensive reentry program.

The grant recipient will use FY 2011 grant funds to serve 150 men and women returning to Cuyahoga County from incarceration in local prisons with coordinated and sustained case management and wraparound/support services that will address their criminogenic and other needs, and subsequently reduce recidivism by 50%. It will specifically target individuals that have been assessed at moderate-to-high risk for reoffending and have a history of mental illness, gang involvement and/or substance abuse. Additionally, while not specifically targeted, sex offenders will be permitted to participate in the program.

CA/NCF