Arizona Department of Corrections Reentry Initiative

The Second Chance Act (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 Programs are designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by offender reentry and recidivism reduction.

Section 101 of the Second Chance Act authorizes federal awards to states that may be used for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated or detained and reduce overall recidivism rates. The goal of Section 101 of the Second Chance Act is to provide support to eligible applicants, in this case state correctional agencies (state departments of corrections or community corrections) or State Administering Agencies (SAAs), 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 goal of this program is to assist state teams in developing statewide recidivism reduction strategic plans. The objectives for the Second Chance Act Statewide Adult Recidivism Reduction Strategic Planning Program are to: (1) identify drivers of recidivism in the state; (2) identify a target population and recidivism reduction goals for the state; (3) review the alignment of existing corrections programs and practices with evidence-based practices; and (4) develop a strategic plan to meet statewide recidivism reduction goals using evidence-based practices.

The Arizona Department of Corrections will use grant funds towards supporting Arizona communities in developing comprehensive and collaborative strategies to reduce recidivism. The project will identify and address the needs and barriers faced by offenders as they reenter their communities and will focus on the following principles: target offenders most likely to recidivate including adult males and females assessed as high risk/high need (first priority) or medium risk/high need (second priority); target locations where crime and recidivism rates are highest; use high-quality, proven evidence-based intervention and programs; and use supervision policies and practices that balance sanctions and treatment.

CA/NCF