Improving Youth Reentry Outcomes in Massachusetts

The Second Chance Act Youth Offender Reentry Program supports states, local governments, and tribal governments in partnership with interested persons (including Federal corrections and supervision agencies), service providers, and nonprofit organizations to provide comprehensive reentry services for moderate to high-risk youthful offenders before, during, and after release from confinement.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will increase public safety and reduce recidivism among moderate to high-risk youth before and following release from a juvenile residential facility; develop information-sharing processes to carry out comprehensive case management plans that directly address the criminogenic risks and needs of young offenders as identified by validated risk and needs assessments; convene a juvenile reentry task force of varied stakeholders that provide reentry services; expand coordinated and comprehensive services following release from confinement, including but not limited to transitional and permanent housing and mental and physical healthcare; integrate family strengthening practices that encourage returning youth to develop safe, healthy, and responsible family relationships and involve the entire family in a comprehensive reentry process; improve transition planning procedures to ensure that linkages to needed services and benefits are available; and track data on recidivism rates, school-related behaviors, substance abuse treatment, family reunification progress, employment opportunities, pre-release planning, and post-release services and supervision. CA/NCF