NCJ Number
243010
Date Published
June 2013
Length
1 page
Annotation
This video and transcript of an interview with Ron D'Amico of Social Policy Research Associates focuses on what his evaluation team has learned thus far about offender reentry programs that have received funding and technical assistance under the Federal Second Chance Act, which aims to improve the services and outcomes for ex-offenders re-entering the community after a period of incarceration.
Abstract
Topics addressed in the interview are the increase in partnerships in the provision of postrelease services, more "holistic" services, changes in the role of the parole case manager, a new mindset for corrections policymakers regarding reentry services, the evaluation team's proposed impact analysis, and the importance of reentry under the Second Chance Act. In assessing existing community resources pertinent to Second Chance reentry goals, grantees are developing new partnerships between parole agencies and community organizations that already provide the kinds of services needed by parolees, such as mental health services, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and job training and employment services. These community-based services are becoming more "holistic" in the sense that they are beginning their services to offenders during the prerelease period of incarceration in order to establish a continuity of services immediately upon release into the community. Under Second Chance, the parole case manager's role has shifted from enforcer of parole conditions to supporter, guide, and coordinator of the multiple services needed by the parolee for a successful reentry. The next step of the evaluation team is to use available grantee administrative data to determine whether the services provided have reduced parolee recidivism.