Second Chance Act – Fact Sheet for Fiscal Years 2009-2022

• NCJ Number: 308035
• Date Published: November 2023
• Length: 2 pages
• Publication Series: BJA Fact Sheets
• Agencies: BJA
• Publication Type: Factsheet

Annotation

This fact sheet provides a quick summary and graphic illustration of the programs supported by Second Chance Act (SCA) grant funds.

Abstract

This fact sheet summarizes the programs supported by the Second Chance Act from 2009 to 2022. Through Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Second Chance Act (SCA) grant funds have gone to 845 state and local agencies in 48 states and three territories (the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico). From the onset, $601 million has been allocated to Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for SCA Programs. Participants in SCA programs are matched to services that are partially or fully funded by SCA grant funds. Individuals may receive one or more types of services depending on their individual need, intent of the program, and availability including cognitive behavioral interventions, treatment for substance use disorders, job placement/employment, and/or vocational services. From FY 2009 to FY 2022, SCA grant funds–through BJA programs–reached more than 163,000 justice-involved individuals who participated in reentry services or parole and probation programs. Over half of all participants enrolled in employment, housing, and education services gained employment, obtained housing, and received a higher education. Swift, Certain, and Fair Supervision (SCF) and Innovations in Supervision Initiative (ISI), while not part of the SCA programs, are funded through SCA carve-outs. These programs are designed to improve the effectiveness of probation/parole and improve supervision outcomes.