RRCs are used by the Bureau to place inmates in the community just prior to release. These centers provide a structured, supervised environment and support in job placement, counseling, and other services.
They make it possible for inmates to gradually rebuild their ties to the community and find suitable employment and housing, while correctional staff supervise offenders' activities during this important readjustment phase.
Research has found that halfway house participants are more likely to be gainfully employed and less likely to commit crimes, as compared to inmates who release directly to the community. The benefits are particularly evident for
inmates who have extensive criminal records.
RRC service contracts are awarded through a competitive procurement process following the requirements set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The competitive process is open to all interested providers, and the Bureau
encourages full and open competition during the procurement process. The Bureau advertises for RRC services on the fedbizopps website under the "G" category, which covers social services.
A RRC SOW is a document that outlines performance requirements for operating a RRC. It includes detailed information about administrative and program requirements, and all services required of the contractor during the life of the contract.
The Bureau does not provide community-based services for ex-offenders through grants. These services are awarded through a competitive procurement process following the requirements set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
It is the Bureau's philosophy that release preparation begins the first day of incarceration. A wide range of self-improvement opportunities are readily available to facilitate community re-entry and increase the likelihood of successful reintegration.
For security reasons, Bureau policy prohibits the release of an inmate's designation to the public prior to his/her arrival at the designated facility. The Inmate Locator tool (see top navigation bar) may be used to identify an inmate's current location.
When an eligible inmate refuses RRC placement, Bureau staff investigate the reasons and make every effort to encourage participation. If the inmate remains uncooperative and provides no suitable reason for placement refusal, that information is documented and will
be considered by the unit team in determining further action.
RRC staff are required to maintain accountability of inmates at all times, and inmates are expected to abide by a strict schedule. Inmates must sign in and out of the facility, inmate counts are conducted periodically by RRC staff, and staff make random telephone calls
or visits to the inmate's place of employment and/or home. Each RRC is also monitored by Bureau staff.
The Bureau typically requires inmates to spend time at a RRC prior to being considered for home confinement. Title 18, Section 3624(e) of the U.S. Code, limits home confinement placement to 6 months or the final 10 percent of a sentence, whichever is less.
The Bureau's community corrections manager is the final approving official for all eligible home confinement placements.
Inmates in community programs have the same responsibilities and rights as inmates in other Bureau facilities. The Administrative Remedy process may be used to appeal disciplinary actions.
A juvenile is a person who has committed an act of delinquency, but has not attained his/her 21st birthday as defined by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) (18 U.S.C. 5031 through 5042). In corrections, the terms
juvenile, juvenile offender, juvenile resident, student, and resident are used interchangeably and are considered synonymous.
Title 18 U.S.C. 5039 states: "No juvenile committed, whether pursuant to an adjudication of delinquency or conviction for an offense, to the custody of the Attorney General, may be placed or retained in an adult jail or correctional institution
in which he has regular contact with adults incarcerated because they have been convicted of a crime or are awaiting trial on criminal charges." Secure and community-based facilities are both considered to be correctional facilities.
Title 18 U.S.C. (5038) limits the release of information regarding juveniles. Juvenile court proceedings are sealed; and the release of these records is restricted generally to courts, law enforcement agencies, victims, and treatment agency administrators.
