Second Chance Act

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>Appropriations Update
>Second Chance Act Funding for Reentry Demonstration Projects
>Second Chance Act Funding for Mentoring
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>Updates

Overview:

The Second Chance Act is federal legislation designed to improve outcomes for people returning to the community from prisons and jails. On April 9, 2008, President Bush signed the Second Chance Act into law (Public Law 110-199). This first-of-its-kind legislation authorizes federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services that can help reduce recidivism.

For more information, see the documents below:

Appropriations Update:

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 that provides $25 million for Second Chance Act programs, including $15 million for state and local reentry demonstration projects and $10 million for grants to nonprofit organizations for mentoring and other transitional services.

Congress will now turn its attention to appropriations for fiscal year 2010, which begins on October 1, 2009. In the budget for fiscal year 2010 released on May 7, 2009, President Obama requested $212 million for prisoner reentry programs, including $100 million for Second Chance Act programs administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and $112 million for Second Chance Act programs administered by the U.S. Department of Labor.

During the week of March 9, 2009, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science held seven hearings focusing on prisoner reentry issues that reflect Capitol Hill’s high level of interest in safe and successful reintegration. Click here for more information about those hearings.

On Thursday, June 18, 2009, the House of Representatives 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 programs and nearly $14 million for reentry initiatives in the federal Bureau of Prisons. The bill must also be passed by the Senate before it can be signed by the President.

Second Chance Act Funding Opportunities for Reentry Demonstration Projects:

Section 101 of the Second Chance Act authorizes grants to state and local governments and Indian tribes for reentry demonstration projects. Funding under this section is available to help state and local agencies implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure the safe and successful reentry of individuals released from prisons and jails. In fiscal year 2009, $15 million is available for reentry demonstration projects under the Second Chance Act.

Adult Demonstration Projects

On February 27, 2009, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, released a solicitation for adult reentry demonstration projects under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act. Applications were due on April 20, 2009. Click here to download this solicitation.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center developed a toolkit for demonstration project grant applicants with support from the Public Welfare Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Open Society Institute.

  • Click here for a checklist that will help state and local governments and Indian tribes meet application requirements under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act.
  • Click here for a resource guide listing publications, reports, and tools that may be helpful in developing a successful reentry initiative.

The Council of State Governments Justice Center also conducted a webinar to help potential applicants respond to the Section 101 solicitation.

  • Click here for a link to the presentation, including audio.
  • Click here to download the webinar PowerPoint presentation.

For more information on BJA’s implementation of the Second Chance Act initiatives, visit BJA’s Second Chance Act page.

Juvenile Demonstration Projects

On May 8, 2009, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), U.S. Department of Justice, released a solicitation for Second Chance Act grants for juvenile reentry demonstration projects. Applications were due on June 15, 2009. Click here to download this solicitation.

Second Chance Act Funding Opportunities for Mentoring:

Section 211 of the Second Chance Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to make grants to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for the purpose of providing mentoring and transitional services essential to reintegrating individuals released from prisons or jails into the community. In fiscal year 2009, $10 million is available for mentoring programs under the Second Chance Act.

Adult Mentoring

On April 23, 2009, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, released a solicitation for Second Chance Act mentoring grants which provides funding to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for projects with a target population aged 18 or older. Applications were due on May 21, 2009. Click here to download this solicitation.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation developed a toolkit for nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes interested in the adult mentoring grants. The toolkit includes an application checklist and guidance on how to complete an application. Additional materials available from the Justice Center include a fact sheet on the adult mentoring grants and a Reentry Resource Guide listing publications, reports, and tools that may be helpful in developing a successful reentry initiative.

On May 11, 2009, the Justice Center held a webinar to help potential applicants understand the BJA solicitation for mentoring grants.

  • Click here to download the full presentation.

  • Click here to download the webinar PowerPoint presentation.

  • Click here to download the Frequently Asked Questions & Answers based on the webinar.

    • Juvenile Mentoring

    On May 6, 2009, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), U.S. Department of Justice, released a solicitation for Second Chance Act Mentoring Grants for juvenile populations. Public agencies, including Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for the OJJDP grants. Applications were due on June 15, 2009. Click here to download this solicitation.

    Other Funding Opportunities:

    For information on other funding opportunities not related to the Second Chance Act, download our funding opportunities overview (PDF).

    Updates:
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