FY 2010 Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Demonstration 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, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and returning to communities. There are currently over 2.3 million individuals serving time in our federal and state prisons, and millions of people cycling through local jails every year. There are approximately 94,000 youth in residential confinement within the juvenile justice system on any given day. Ninety-five percent of all offenders incarcerated today will eventually be released and will return to communities. The Second Chance Act will help ensure the transition individuals make from prison, jail, or juvenile residential facilities to the community is safe and successful.

North Dakota Juvenile Offender Reentry project will enhance services for juvenile offenders returning to the Bismarck-Mandan community after a residential or correctional placement. Reentry services will be coordinated by the custodial agency, the ND Division of Juvenile Services, and will begin prior to release from placement. Services to be implemented as part of the Reentry Strategic Plan will include substance abuse treatment and aftercare services, and community supportive services including transitional housing, mentoring, educational support; employment assistance, relapse prevention; and family support and crisis intervention. These services will be combined with existing services to provide a full continuum to support successful community reentry. CA/NCF