Audiences

Tools & Resources

December 2009 National Reentry Resource Center Newsletter

FEATURES

Congress Approves Over $222 Million for Prisoner Reentry Programs

On Sunday, December 13, 2009, the Senate approved an appropriations bill for the Department of Justice for fiscal year 2010 that provides $114 million for prisoner reentry, including $100 million for Second Chance Act grant programs and $14 million for reentry initiatives in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The House of Representatives passed the bill (H.R. 3288) on Thursday, December 10, 2009. The bill provides

  • $37 million for reentry demonstration projects under Sec. 101 of the Second Chance Act
  • $15 million for mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations under Sec. 211
  • $10 million for reentry courts under Sec. 111
  • $7.5 million for family-based, substance abuse treatment under Sec. 113
  • $2.5 million for grants to evaluate and improve education in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities under Sec. 114
  • $5 million for technology careers training demonstration grants under Sec. 115
  • $13 million for reentry substance abuse and criminal justice collaboration under Sec. 201
  • $10 million for reentry research under Sec. 245

The House of Representatives also approved an appropriations bill for the Department of Labor that provides $108,493,000 for ex-offender activities under the Second Chance Act and the Workforce Investment Act, including $15 million for transitional jobs for ex-offenders. For more information about the Second Chance Act, click here.

National Reentry Resource Center Launches Website

Earlier this fall, the National Reentry Resource Center’s (NRRC) website launched, providing the field with a first-of-its-kind, one-stop clearinghouse for reentry-related resources. The site provides users—regardless of their familiarity with reentry issues—with information they can tailor to their specific needs. Whether a community-based service provider is looking for the latest research on risk-based assessments, a state legislator is looking for innovative ways to improve reentry outcomes, or a person is looking for employment services for a loved one recently released from prison or jail, the NRRC website offers quick and easy access to relevant materials for various users. The website was designed to provide an array of resources for diverse needs, and all of the information on the site is accessible in just one or two clicks.

To continue reading about the NRRC website, click here.

Announcements & Events

Dec 15 Promising Practices for Providing Services and Ensuring Care for Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth

The National Academy for State Health Policy announced it will be holding its last web-assisted conference call in a series designed to examine the potential use of Medicaid funds in the provision of health services to justice-involved youth. This web conference, Promising Practices for Providing Services and Ensuring Care for Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth, will be held on December 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. EST, and will include a presentation on the promising practices states are employing to ensure continuity of services for youth transitioning out of the justice system and into their communities. If you would like to participate in this call, RSVP to Chris Cantrell at NASHP at ccantrell@nashp.org to receive the call-in information.

Dec 16 Webinar: Sharing Information to Improve Outcomes and Protect Privacy in the Juvenile Justice System

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar, sponsored by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, for Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grantees, Second Chance Act grantees, and the Juvenile Justice field at large.

To learn more about the webinar, or to register, click here.

Jan 25 Children 2010: Leading a New Era

January 25–27, 2010, in Washington, DC, the Child Welfare League of America will hold its annual conference, Children 2010: Leading a New Era. Child welfare professionals will offer sessions on a variety of topics, including foster care, adoption, juvenile justice, crime prevention, early intervention, and mental health. The conference also provides interactive workshops and technology demonstrations to educate the child welfare community.

To learn more about the conference, or to register, click here.

Jan 31 APPA Winter Institute

Discover what APPA can do for you. APPA staff and board members will be onsite to answer your questions and help you get the most out of your membership and Institute participation. Visit the APPA booth in the Resource Expo to get immediate assistance APPA members save $60 in registration fees! It is not too late to take advantage of the savings. You can become a member of APPA when you register for the Institute.

For more information, or to register, click here.

Feb 23 National Fatherhood and Families Conference (Los Angeles, CA)

Fathers & Families Coalition of America announces its 11th Annual National Fatherhood and Families Conference in Los Angeles, CA. This respected national conference on fatherhood and family issues is coming to Southern California for the first time. Parents, families, social service professionals, community representatives and leaders from all over the country are expected to attend the conference at the Westin LAX Hotel in Los Angeles February, 23-26, 2010.

To see the conference agenda, click here.

To register for the conference, click here.

Funding Opportunities

Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Targeted Areas of Need - Local Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

According to the solicitation for this program:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 for grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Targeted Areas of Need—Local Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care. This program is designed to foster the development and utilization of local recovery-oriented systems of care to address gaps in treatment capacity by supporting person-centered and self-directed approaches for substance abuse (including alcohol and drug) treatment and recovery services in communities with serious drug problems. The purpose of this program is to expand the community’s ability to provide integrated and comprehensive community-based responses to a targeted, well-documented substance abuse treatment capacity program and/or improve the quality and intensity of services. This program serves to develop local recovery-oriented systems of care that will expand and/or enhance substance abuse services and promote recovery.

Applications are due by January 14, 2010. For more information, click here.

Offender Reentry Program, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

According to the solicitation for this program:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 grants for the Offender Reentry Program. The purpose of this program is to expand and/or enhance substance abuse treatment and related recovery and reentry services to sentenced juvenile and adult offenders returning to the community from incarceration for criminal/juvenile offenses. Applicants are expected to form stakeholder partnerships that will plan, develop and provide a transition from incarceration to community-based substance abuse treatment and related reentry services for the populations of focus. Eligible applicants are domestic public and private nonprofit entities. For example, state and local governments, federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes and tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, public or private universities and colleges, and community- and faith-based organizations may apply.

Applications are due by February 2, 2010. NOTE: The application due date for this program has been extended from the original due date of January 19, 2009. For more information, click here.

Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

According to the solicitation for this program:
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2010 Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity in Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts (short title: SAMHSA Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts). The purpose of this program is to expand and/or enhance substance abuse treatment services in "problem solving" courts which use the juvenile drug court model in order to provide alcohol and drug treatment, recovery support services supporting substance abuse treatment, screening, assessment, case management, and program coordination to juvenile defendants/offenders. Priority for the use of the funding should be given to addressing gaps in the existing continuum of treatment. Eligibility is restricted to existing individual Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts or their Tribal/State or local governmental proxies who may apply on their behalf. Grantees from the FY 2009 cohort for the Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity for Juvenile Drug Courts program are not eligible to apply.

Applications are due by February 23, 2010. For more information, click here.

Seek, Test, and Treat: Addressing HIV in the Criminal Justice System, National Institutes of Health

According to the solicitation for this program:
This initiative solicits R01 applications to empirically test the seek, test, and treat paradigm in criminal justice populations. The seek, test, and treat model involves reaching out to high risk, hard to reach groups who have not been recently tested (seek), engaging them in HIV testing (test), and initiating, monitoring, and maintaining HAART for those testing positive (treat). Researchers are encouraged to develop, implement, and test strategies to increase HIV testing and the provision of HAART to HIV seropositive individuals involved with the criminal justice system, with particular focus on continuity of HAART during and after community re-entry following incarceration. Key outcome measures include linkage to care (e.g., seen at care center post-release) and viral suppression (e.g., proportion with undetectable viral load six months or more after initiation of ART). Applications responsive to this FOA may propose intervention research at the individual, organizational, or system level that leads to effective approaches for expanding access to HIV testing and HAART treatment in the criminal justice system and in community organizations working with criminal justice systems and populations.

Applications are due by April 1, 2010. For more information, click here.

Reentry in the News

Articles from newspapers around the country covering reentry issues can be found on the National Reentry Resource Center's website. Some recent headlines from the homepage are posted below.

The Boston Globe (MA) — Correction agencies’ budgets soaring

12/3/09 — Spending on correction agencies in Massachusetts has exploded in the past decade despite only a modest increase in the number of people incarcerated and now accounts for a bigger chunk of the state budget than each of the departments that oversee higher education, social services, and public health, according to a new study.

KWQC (IA) — Finding Work After Prison

11/27/09 — With the national unemployment rate at a twenty-six year high, finding a job is tough. But for one group of people who face extra job-hunting challenges, that number isn't helping. Nearly thirty-seven thousand people have been released from Illinois prisons in the past year and many are struggling to find work.

CNNMoney.com— How an ex-con landed a job

11/23/09 — Gregory Headley got himself a job. That's quite a feat in today's economy, even for the most qualified job hunters. But for an ex-convict, it feels like a miracle.

Minnesota Public Radio (MN) — Job market even tougher for ex-offenders

11/19/09 — It's always been difficult for people with records to find jobs, but in this economy, it's even more so. At the same time, foundations are cutting funds for ex-offender work programs. Experts say the situation threatens public safety and may lead to increased crime rates.

MSU Billings News Services (MT) — First cohort of Montana Women’s Prison inmates complete MSU Billings "Pathways to Self Sufficiency" program

11/19/09 — A U.S. Department of Justice-funded program at MSU Billings graduated its first set of participants of a program designed to upgrade academic and workforce skills for women who are incarcerated at the Montana Women’s Prison in Billings. The program features instruction from many faculty members and community members.

New York Magazine (New York) — Blood Brothers

11/15/09 — Robert Sanchez and Felix Aponte had a lot in common, including Sing Sing and bad luck. So when Robert needed a kidney, it seemed like a chance to save both their lives. Until bad luck struck again.

NPR (CA) — Calif. Companies Help Ex-Cons Get Back On Track

11/13/09 — It's hard for anyone to find a job these days, and if you've spent time behind bars, it's even more difficult. But in California, where more than 130,000 people leave state prisons every year, a number of nonprofit organizations are finding it can make good business sense to hire ex-cons.

CNNMoney.com— Out of prison, out of a job, out of luck

11/11/09 — For everyone right now, the job market is tough. The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent in October, its highest level in more than twenty-six years, according to the Labor Department. Nationwide, 15.7 million people are out of work. That is really bad news for the hundreds of thousands of ex-convicts who are released from prison every year.

Times-Georgian (GA) — A helping hand after leaving jail: NAACP program helps former inmates re-adjust in society

11/13/09 — Four years ago the Carroll County NAACP conceived a program that would help formerly incarcerated individuals live a successful life outside of prison.

Star-Ledger (NJ) — Helping FORGE a path to a better life

11/3/09 — Cynthia Taylor has come a long way. The forty-four year-old Newark resident was a heroin and cocaine addict who spent eight years in prison for robbery. Today, she is a full-time college student studying to be a youth counselor, volunteers for local organizations, and has become a stable presence in the lives of her five children.

Publications

Recovery-Oriented Care for Drug Abusing Offenders

As described by the authors, a recovery-oriented system of care for drug abusing criminal offenders is one that provides for continuity of treatment, using evidence-based interventions at every stage as clients progress through the justice system. Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities of Illinois has partnered with criminal justice and treatment programs to establish a basic recovery-oriented system, with programs that span pre-adjudication, probation or incarceration, and parole.

Drug Abuse Treatment Beyond Prison Walls

The period surrounding release from prison is a critical time for parolees, bearing the potential for a drug and crime-free life in the community, but also high risks for recidivism and relapse to drug use. The authors describe two projects. The first illustrates the use of a formal Delphi process to elicit and combine the expertise of treatment providers, researchers, corrections personnel, and other stakeholders in a set of statewide guidelines for facilitating re-entry. The second project is a six-session intervention to enable women to protect themselves against acquiring or transmitting HIV in their intimate relationships.

Interventions to Promote Successful Re-Entry Among Drug-Abusing Parolees

Although evaluations have found prison treatment programs to be generally effective, most studies report that paroled graduates of these programs are much more likely to remain drug-free if they receive continuing treatment in the community. This article reviews research findings on principles of effective correctional treatment and the interventions that have been shown to be effective with drug-abusing parolees or that have been tested with general drug-abusing populations and show promise for use with parolees. The article concludes with a discussion of several issues that clinicians need to consider in adopting and implementing these interventions.

HIV in Prisons, 2007-08

Presents yearend 2007 and 2008 data from the National Prisoner Statistics and the Deaths in Custody series. The report provides data on the number of female and male prisoners who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or had confirmed AIDS. Findings include the number of AIDS-related deaths in state and federal prisons, a profile of those inmates who died in state prison, and a comparison of AIDS rates between prison inmates and the general population. The report also covers the circumstances under which inmates were tested for HIV.