Family Reunification Reentry Initiative (FRRI)

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 needs-based 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 support the Family Reunification Reentry Initiative (FRRI). The primary goal of the FRRI is to increase public safety by reducing recidivism rates. The Initiative's other overarching goal is to establish a systemic reentry process that promotes effective prisoner reintegration. The FRRI targets a population of women serving sentences at Lehigh County Prison and at the county's work release facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On an annual basis it is projected that the Initiative will reach approximately 400 women.

CA/NCF