By Ed Somers
April 7, 2008

Congress has approved, and the President will sign on April 9, legislation designed to aid in the reentry of some 750,000 prisoners and juvenile detainees released from state and local facilities each year.

The “Second Chance Act” (HR 1593) authorizes a number of small programs that add up to $165 million in both Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010. Local governments are eligible to apply for grants under most of the programs.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors supported passage of the legislation as detailed in its Mayors- 10-Point Plan. The bill was championed by Representative Danny Davis (IL) as well as other key leaders in the House, and Senators Joseph Biden (DE), Sam Brownback (KS), Patrick Leahy (VT) and Arlen Specter (PA).

As Conference of Mayors President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer recently stated at a USCM co'sponsored reentry summit in New York City, “If we could reduce the recidivism rates in our country – in our cities – by finding ways to help ex-offenders successfully reintegrate back into society, think of the funds we could save… and think of the impact we could have on others, particularly their children.”

Efforts are now underway to secure appropriations for the legislation. This comes as other federal law enforcement programs have been drastically cut in recent years - such as COPS and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. In FY 2008 alone, the JAG program was cut by 67 percent.

Following is a summary of the various programs authorized in the legislation:

The federal share of grants may not exceed 50 percent of the total project costs, with in-kind contributions allowed for up to half the local match (or for a total of 25 percent).

Reauthorizes and increases funding levels for existing adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects, with a number of changes. Authorized projects would include: literacy, vocational, and job placement services; substance abuse treatment; coordinated supervision upon release; family development; support for mentors; victim-appropriate services; and protecting communities against dangerous offenders.

To qualify for this funding, government entities must establish a comprehensive strategic reentry plan and reentry task force.

Authorizes the creation of State and Local Reentry Courts similar to those established for non-violent drug offenders. Grants are limited to $500,000 each.

Authorizes grants to state and local prosecutors to develop and implement qualified drug treatment programs as alternatives to imprisonment for non-violent offenders.

Authorizes grants to states and local governments for comprehensive family-based substance abuse treatment programs as alternatives to incarceration for non-violent parent offenders, and prison-based family treatment programs for incarcerated parents of minor children.

Authorizes grants to states and local governments and other public and private entities to evaluate and improve academic and vocational education for offenders in prison, jails and juvenile facilities, and then recommend best practices.

Authorizes grants to states and local government to provide technology-based career training to prisoners prior to release.

Authorizes grants to states and local governments to improve the provision of drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities; and reduces the use of alcohol and other drugs by long-term substance abusers until the completion of parole or court supervision.

Authorizes grants to nonprofit organizations to provide mentoring and other transitional services to adult and juvenile offenders.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (other programs are through the Department of Justice) to make grants to nonprofit organizations for transitional services to assist eligible ex-offenders in obtaining and retaining employment in coordination with one'stop partners and operators as established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Requires the establishment of a comprehensive federal prisoner reentry program.

Authorizes funding for the National Institute of Justice and the Bureau of Justice Statistics to conduct research on offender reentry issues.