Philadelphia Returning Citizens Demonstration Program

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. The Second Chance Act Programs are designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by offender reentry and recidivism reduction. "Reentry" is not a specific program, but rather an evidence-based process that starts when an offender is initially incarcerated and ends when the offender has been successfully reintegrated in his or her community as a law-abiding citizen. The reentry process includes the delivery of a variety of evidence-based program services for every program participant in both a pre- and post-release setting. 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 the Second Chance Act Two-Phase Adult Reentry Demonstration Program: Planning and Implementation, under 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. This process should provide the individual with appropriate evidence-based services including 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. The reentry plan should reflect both specific and ongoing pre-release and post-release needs, and a strategy for ensuring that these needs are met throughout the duration of the reentry process.

The grantee will use the grant to support a comprehensive reentry process for a seamless, coordinated, and successful reentry. The reentry program will target 105 men, ages 18-40. Pre-release services will include an evidence-based cognitive skill-building program, an innovative online, mobile education component, and development of a comprehensive Reentry Plan. Post-release services will ensure a continuity of care through the continuation of online education, and intensive, customized, 'wraparound' case management services. Participants will receive referrals for housing, employment readiness and placement, behavioral health care, legal services, and life skills training. Collectively, these strategies will serve to reduce recidivism.

CA/NCF