Bridging the Gap: A Targeted Reentry Approach

The purpose of the FY 2019 Innovative Reentry Initiatives (IRI): Building System Capacity and Testing Reentry Strategies to Reduce Recidivism is to provide state and local jurisdictions and Indian tribes with the resources and training and technical assistance (TTA) necessary to identify assets and gaps in their reentry systems and to develop capacity and partnerships to provide services that prevent recidivism, reduce crime, and improve public safety in their jurisdictions.

IRI is part of BJA’s Innovations in Public Safety portfolio, also known as the “Innovations Suite.” The Innovations Suite of programs invests in the development of practitioner-researcher partnerships that use data, evidence, and innovation to create strategies that are effective and economical. This data-driven approach enables jurisdictions to understand the full nature and extent of the crime challenges they face and to direct resources to the highest priorities. Successful partnerships between practitioners and researchers require investments of planning, time, communication, complementary skills, and adequate resources.

IRI seeks to improve the capacity and effectiveness of state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to increase the success of offenders returning to their communities from incarceration through a combination of system-level improvements and demonstration projects.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice will use award funds to support a targeted approach for violators with mental health needs. The goal is to increase public safety and reduce recidivism. It is anticipated that 150 offenders will be served throughout the project period.
CA/NCF