News from the National Institute of Justice's Journal:
The first phase of an NIJ-funded evaluation finds that re-entry programs are moving toward a rehabilitative philosophy and an acceptance of evidence-based practices.
In the last three decades, the number of inmates released from the nation's prisons each year increased fourfold. Recidivism rates continue to be alarmingly high.
To address this national dilemma, Congress passed the Second Chance Act (SCA) in 2008 to help criminal offenders successfully return to the community after they are released from prison or jail. Through the SCA, the Bureau of Justice Assistance has awarded more than $250 million — through 300 grants to government agencies and nonprofit organizations — to help medium- and high-risk adult and juvenile offenders successfully re-enter society and remain crime-free.
This fall, NIJ released a report on the first phase of a two-phase evaluation of demonstration sites funded under the SCA.[1] Called an "implementation evaluation," this phase was an in-depth examination of 10 state and local government agencies from around the country that were among the first to receive SCA funding.
To read the entire article please follow this link: http://www.nij.gov/journals/273/pages/second-chance-act-evaluation.aspx
Are there any educators or administrators who are current Second Chance Act Grant recipients that could share thoughts and experiences with the group?