Second Chance Act
Signed into law on April 9, 2008, the Second Chance Act (P.L. 110-199) was designed to improve outcomes for people returning to communities from prisons and jails. This first-of-its-kind legislation authorizes federal grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims support, and other services that can help reduce recidivism.
On October 26, 2010, Leah Kane from the National Reentry Resource Center delivered the following congressional briefing about the Second Chance Act.
"Pay for Success" and Implementation of the U.S. Department of Justice's Fiscal Year 2012 Second Chance Act Programs
Pay for Success Learning Hub
Please visit http://payforsuccess.org/ to access the Pay for Success Learning Hub developed by the Nonprofit Finance Fund for more information about the Pay for Success concept and to access research, articles, and more information.
Webinar Recording on "Pay for Success” and DOJ’s Second Chance Act Solicitations
DOJ in partnership with The Nonprofit Finance Fund hosted a webinar on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 entitled: "Pay for Success and the Department of Justice's Second Chance Act Solicitations."
Organizations interested in submitting Second Chance Act applications that will include a Pay for Success component were encouraged to participate in this webinar. Additional information on this event can be obtained at the following Pay for Success Learning Hub web-link:
Pay for Success - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following FAQs were transcribed and edited from the Nonprofit Finance Fund and DOJ webinar on "Pay for Success and the Department of Justice's Second Chance Act Solicitations.” In addition, these FAQs may be updated and potentially include other Pay for Success questions received from the BJA Justice Information Center (JIC) that responds to inquiries from the field on BJA solicitations.
2012 Second Chance Act Solicitations
Evaluation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention FY 2010 Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Reentry Demonstration Projects, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice
On April 6, 2012, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) released the solicitation for the "Evaluation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention FY 2010 Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Reentry Demonstration Projects." This solicitation will award a grant to measure the processes, outcomes, costs, and impacts of the juvenile offender reentry programs that received funding in FY 2010 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and to assess the effectiveness of the Second Chance Act in reducing recidivism among juvenile offenders. States, units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, nonprofit and for-profit organization, institutions of higher education, and qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET, May 31, 2012. To download this solicitation, click here.
Smart Probation: Reducing Prison Populations, Saving Money, and Creating Safer Communities, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
On March 22nd, the Bureau of Justice Assistance released the FY12 solicitation for the "Smart Probation: Reducing Prison Populations, Saving Money, and Creating Safer Communities" grant program. The "Smart Probation" program assists state, local, and tribal agencies in developing and implementing strategies to improve probation supervision and reduce recidivism. These strategies may include incorporating evidence-based practices, expanding technical assistance and resources available to staff, and promoting greater collaboration among partners. Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on May 21, 2012.
- To download this solicitation, click here.
- To download the Smart Probation FAQs, click here.
- The CSG Justice Center hosted a webinar on the Smart Probation grant program and solicitation on Thursday, April 26th. To watch a recording of the webinar, click here.
- To download a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation used in the webinar, click here.
Second Chance Act Adult Offender Comprehensive Statewide Recidivism-Reduction Demonstration Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
On March 21st, the Bureau of Justice Assistance released the solicitation for the FY 2012 Second Chance Act Adult Offender Comprehensive Statewide Recidivism-Reduction Demonstration Program. This program will assist states in developing and implementing comprehensive plans to reduce statewide recidivism rates. Only state departments of corrections are eligible. Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on May 21, 2012.
Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Reentry Program, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice
On March 28th, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), released the solicitation for Second Chance Act grant applications to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for juvenile reentry demonstration projects. This funding is available to help jurisdictions plan and implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful reentry of juveniles released from prisons, jails, and juvenile detention facilities back to the community. Applications must be received by May 14, at 11:59 p.m. ET. To download the solicitation, click here.
Second Chance Act Adult Planning and Demonstration Projects FY 2012 Competitive Grant Announcement, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
The Bureau of Justice Assistance recently released the solicitation for Second Chance Act grant applications to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for adult reentry planning and demonstration projects. This funding is available to help jurisdictions plan and implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful reentry of adults released from prisons and jails back to the community. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 24, 2012.
- To download this solicitation, click here.
- To download the Second Chance Act Adult Offender FAQs click here.
- To watch a 2011 webinar that was held for applicants responding to this same solicitation, click here.*
- To download a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation from the 2011 webinar, click here.*
*The 2011 webinar and presentation are relevant for applicants responding to the 2012 solicitation; a webinar specific to the 2012 solicitation will NOT be offered.
Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
The Bureau of Justice Assistance recently released the solicitation for Second Chance Act grant applications to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes to establish or enhance residential substance abuse treatment programs in correctional facilities that include aftercare and recovery supportive services. This funding is available to help jurisdictions plan and implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure safe and successful reentry of adults released from prisons and jails back to the community. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 24, 2012.
- To download this solicitation, click here.
- To download the Second Chance Act Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders FAQ, click here.
- To watch a 2011 webinar that was held for applicants responding to this same solicitation, click here.*
- To download a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation from the 2011 webinar, click here.*
*The 2011 webinar and presentation are relevant for applicants responding to the 2012 solicitation; a webinar specific to the 2012 solicitation will NOT be offered.
Second Chance Act Family-Based Adult Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
The Bureau of Justice Assistance recently released the solicitation for Second Chance Act grant applications to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes to establish or enhance residential substance abuse treatment programs in correctional facilities including family supportive services. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 24, 2012.
- To download this solicitation, click here.
- To download the Second Chance Act Family-Based Adult Offender Substance Abuse Treatment FAQ click here.
- To watch a 2011 webinar that was held for applicants responding to this same solicitation, click here.*
- To download a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation from the 2011 webinar, click here.*
*The 2011 webinar and presentation are relevant for applicants responding to the 2012 solicitation; a webinar specific to the 2012 solicitation will NOT be offered.
Second Chance Act Technology Careers Training Demonstration Projects for Incarcerated Adults and Juvenile FY 2012 Competitive Grant Announcement, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
On Tuesday, December 6, 2011, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, released the solicitation for the Second Chance Act Technology Careers Training Demonstration Projects for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles. States, units of local government, territories, and “federally recognized Indian tribes” are encouraged to apply for funds that can be used to establish programs to train individuals in prisons, jails, or juvenile residential facilities for technology-based jobs and careers during the three-year period before their release. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET, March 2, 2012. To download the solicitation, click here.
Resources for this solicitation:
- Frequently Asked Questions, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
- 2011 Webainar for applicants responding to solicitation (this webinar is relevant for applicants responding to the 2012 solicitation, a 2012 solicitation-specific webinar will NOT be offered), National Reentry Resource Center
- 2011 Webinar PowerPoint Presentation, National Reentry Resource Center
Second Chance Act Adult Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations, Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
In FY 2011 the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) received 484 applications for funding under the Second Chance Act Adult Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations, only 19 of which were awarded due to limited funding. In FY 2012, the overall Second Chance Act Programs faced further appropriations reductions. The peer review process in FY 2011 yielded a high number of qualified and competitive applications, many of which remain unfunded. The peer review process, while serving a valuable function in assisting BJA staff to make funding decisions, is also costly and is funded with Second Chance Act program funds. By relying on the peer review results of FY 2011 and forgoing a new competitive application process including peer review in FY 2012, BJA is able to maximize the number of awards made to the field. Therefore, BJA will not be issuing a FY 2012 Second Chance Act Adult Mentoring Grants to Nonprofit Organizations solicitation, and instead will recommend FY 2012 Adult Mentoring awards from the long list of unfunded, qualified, and highly competitive FY 2011 applications.
2011 Second Chance Act Grantees
- Adult Mentoring
- Adult Mentoring, “Promoting Successful Reentry Through Responsible Fatherhood/Motherhood”
- Juvenile Mentoring
In early October, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that 118 programs have been selected to receive funding in 2011 under the Second Chance Act (SCA). Grantees include both local and state governments and nonprofit organizations.
The selection process was highly competitive. According to Laurie O. Robinson, Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, DOJ received more than 1,000 applications for Second Chance funding this year.
To see the list of SCA grant recipients, click on one of the specific grant tracks listed below. (The number of recipients is noted in the parentheses.)
Mentoring Grants
Funding under this section helps nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes implement mentoring projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of adults and juveniles who have been incarcerated.
Demonstration Grants
Funding under this section helps state and local agencies implement projects and strategies to reduce recidivism and ensure the safe and successful reentry of adults and juveniles released from prisons, jails, or youth detention facilities back to the community.
Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Grants
Funding under this section helps state and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes establish or enhance residential substance abuse treatment projects in correctional facilities that include family supportive services.
Adult Offenders with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders
This section’s funding helps state and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes establish or enhance residential substance abuse treatment programs in correctional facilities that include aftercare and recovery supportive services.
Reentry Courts
This section’s funding helps state and local government agencies and federally recognized Indian tribes establish state, local, and tribal reentry courts monitor offenders and provide them with the treatment services necessary to establish a self-sustaining and law-abiding life.
Technology Careers
Funding under this section helps state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes to establish programs to train individuals in prisons, jails, or juvenile residential facilities for technology-based jobs and careers during the three-year period before their release.
In addition to these awards, other reentry research and technical assistance Second Chance Act awards were announced.
Second Chance Act Grantees
Second Chance Act Solicitations
Second Chance Act News Clips
8/16/12 — One initiative, the Risk Reduction Earned Credit Program, aims to do that by providing classes and other activities to prepare inmates for a crime-free life when they re-enter their communities. As an attendance incentive, the sentences of inmates who participate in the sessions are reduced by five days a month. Now that program is under fire from Republican lawmakers who fear it may be releasing dangerous people too early.
8/13/12 — The crew of 11 men and women laboring to clean out the old high school technically were prisoners of the Penobscot County Sheriff's Department serving sentences for convictions of operating under the influence of intoxicants. They wore their own clothes, however, and were supervised by employees of RSU 22, of which Hampden is a part, as well as personnel from the Penobscot County Jail.
8/6/12 — Earlier this year, California Assemblymembers Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) and Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) introduced a “ban the box” bill (AB 1831) that would prohibit local governments in the state “from inquiring into or considering the criminal history of an applicant, or including any inquiry about criminal history on any initial employment application.” The bill did not make it out of the Senate Governance and Finance Committee. Dickinson has vowed he will try again next year.
8/3/12 — For the first time in nearly three decades, Florida’s prison population has actually decreased. According to experts, the sudden drop is a result of fewer crimes being committed in the state. The decrease is expected to save the state a lot of money.