ADJC Juvenile Reentry Planning Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of incarcerated adults and juveniles who are released from prison, jail, and juvenile residential facilities and are returning to their communities. Approximately 100,000 youthful offenders are confined in juvenile residential facilities on any given day. The FY 2011 Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Reentry Program helps ensure that the transition the youth make from secure confinement facilities to the community is successful and promotes public safety. A secure confinement facility may include a juvenile detention center, juvenile correctional facility, or staff-secure facility. Eligible juveniles must have been confined under juvenile court jurisdiction. This program is authorized by the Second Chance Act, Pub. L. 110-199, (42 U.S.C. § 3797w). The Second Chance Act authorizes grants to states, territories, units of local government and federally-recognized Indian tribal governments for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated or detained.

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) in collaboration with the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department aims to develop a program that builds on current reentry efforts and complies with the ten mandatory requirements of a comprehensive reentry program. Project goals include: 1) continuing the establishment of a reentry task force, building on existing committees, comprised of state and local leaders and service providers, nonprofits and other key stakeholders; and 2) developing a strategic plan that outlines a long-term strategy, to include measurable annual performance measures with the aim of reducing recidivism by 50% among the targeted populations. The ADJC will hire a reentry consultant who will facilitate the planning process. Consultant responsibilities will include formalizing Task Force membership, convening an initial summit of key stakeholders to launch the strategic planning process and facilitating follow-up sessions. The Task Force will meet monthly and work closely with OJJDP for technical assistance to complete its strategic plan and Planning and Implementation Guide. CA/NCF