Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reentry Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail into communities and the subsequent challenges communities face as offenders attempt to reintegrate into society. The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders.

Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will use the FY 2010 Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative to create a culturally-specific, asset-based, wraparound reentry program for Leech Lake juveniles returning to the Reservation from placement in secure detention and involuntary inpatient treatment ordered by the Leech Lake Tribal Court and the Ninth Judicial District Court for Cass County, Minnesota. The Leech Lake Band will partner with the Cass County Probation Department and the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI). The program will target Leech Lake youth between the ages of 12 and 17 at high risk to recidivate, and their families. The reentry process will begin when a youth has been court ordered to detention or treatment. A case plan will be developed for each individual that will address co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues. The short term goal is a 50% increase in education involvement and vocational activities over non-program peers. The intermediate goals are to increase public safety and reduce recidivism. The long term goal of this program is a 50% reduction in criminal recidivism at five years after program involvement as compared with non-program peers.

CA/NCF