Integrated, dual diagnosis pre and post release treatment among moderate to high risk female offenders in the Cuyahoga County jail.

The Second Chance Act of 2007 provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities, including resources to address the myriad of needs of these offenders to achieve a successful return to their communities. Section 201 of the Second Chance Act authorizes federal awards to states, units of local government, and Indian tribes to improve the provision of treatment to adult offenders in prisons and jails during the period of incarceration and through the completion of parole or other court supervision after release into the community.

The goal of Section 201 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 co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders with appropriate evidence-based services - including addressing individual criminogenic needs - based on a reentry plan that relies on a risk and needs assessment that reflects the risk of recidivism for that offender. Funds may be used for treating co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders in prison and jail programs, providing recovery support services, reentry planning and programming, and post-release treatment and aftercare programming in the community through the completion of parole or court supervision.

Cuyahoga County will utilize their Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders grant to employ a framework which provides advanced treatment, assesses barriers to address behavioral health needs, and responds with evidence based treatment which impacts dynamic risk factors to reduce recidivism. The project goal is to lower the rate of recidivism of moderate to high risk female offenders with co-occurring disorders by 50% and improve their behavioral health outcomes. The primary objective of this program enhancement is to coordinate corrections and behavioral health planning, both during and after incarceration, to deliver a full range of responsive services for female ex-offenders. CA/NCF