P.O. BOX 775, CAMDEN, NJ 08101

PRISONER REENTRY PROGRAM

What Is Reentry?

Reentry involves the use of programs targeted at promoting the effective reintegration of offenders back to communities upon release from prison and jail. Reentry programming, which often involves a comprehensive case management approach, is intended to assist offenders in acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in the community and become law-abiding citizens. A variety of programs are used to assist offenders in the reentry process, including prerelease programs, drug rehabilitation and vocational training, and work programs.

Recently, a more focused approach to reentry has emerged in the form of reentry courts. Reentry courts offer the opportunity for more extensive management and treatment of offenders beginning at the sentencing phase. Reentry courts seek to promote offender accountability while providing treatment and services during the reentry process

The Prisoner Reentry Initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and its federal partners: the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor. This initiative is a comprehensive effort that addresses both juvenile and adult populations of serious, high-risk offenders. It provides funding to develop, implement, enhance, and evaluate reentry strategies that will ensure the safety of the community and the reduction of serious, violent crime. This is accomplished by preparing targeted offenders to successfully return to their communities after having served a significant period of secure confinement in a state training school, juvenile or adult correctional facility, or other secure institution.

Prisoner Reentry Initiative

The President's Prisoner Reentry Initiative (PRI) is designed to provide funding to state units of government to develop and implement institutional and community corrections-based offender reentry programs. PRI strengthens urban communities characterized by large numbers of returning, nonviolent prisoners. PRI is designed to reduce recidivism by helping returning inmates find work and assess other critical services in their communities. PRI supports strategies to deliver prerelease assessments and services and to develop transition plans in collaboration with other justice- and community-based agencies and providers for supervised and no supervised, nonviolent offenders.

Reentry Faith- and Community-Based Initiatives within SJ Faith Based Mentoring Coalition

There are several reentry initiatives involving faith- and community-based programs, training, and/or technical assistance:

• Council of State Governments South Jersey Faith Based Mentoring Coalition partners with a number of reentry-related training and technical assistance projects:
  1. Justice Reinvestment: Assistance is provided to states through which corrections agencies, legislators, and other stakeholders come together to address prison population issues; map where offenders return to the community; allocate resources; and develop, implement, and/or revise legislation, policy, and practices.

  2. Housing: An interactive web site has been developed to assist agencies and others who are seeking guidance and assistance on matters related to offender housing.

  3. Financial Obligations: Materials are being developed which will assist agencies in addressing matters related to offender financial obligations such as child support, fines, court costs, supervision fees, and restitution.

  4. Assessment: Addresses matters related to the various assessments that offenders must undergo to ensure their risk and need factors are addressed in an appropriate manner.