Improvements to existing programs

(a)

Reauthorization of adult and juvenile offender State and local demonstration projects

Section 2976 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797w) is amended—(1)by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:

(a)

Grant authorization

The Attorney General shall make grants to States, local governments, territories, or Indian tribes, or any combination thereof (in this section referred to as an eligible entity), in partnership with interested persons (including Federal corrections and supervision agencies), services providers, and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of strategic planning and implementation of adult and juvenile offender reentry projects.

;

(2)in subsection (b)—(A)in paragraph (3), by inserting or reentry courts, after community,;(B)in paragraph (6), by striking and at the end;(C)in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(D)by adding at the end the following:

(8)promoting employment opportunities consistent with the Transitional Jobs strategy (as defined in section 4 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17502)).

;

(3)by striking subsections (d), (e), and (f) and inserting the following:

(d)

Combined grant application; priority consideration

(1)

In general

The Attorney General shall develop a procedure to allow applicants to submit a single application for a planning grant under subsection (e) and an implementation grant under subsection (f).(2)

Priority consideration

The Attorney General shall give priority consideration to grant applications under subsections (e) and (f) that include a commitment by the applicant to partner with a local evaluator to identify and analyze data that will—(A)enable the grantee to target the intended offender population; and(B)serve as a baseline for purposes of the evaluation.(e)

Planning grants

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Attorney General may make a grant to an eligible entity of not more than $75,000 to develop a strategic, collaborative plan for an adult or juvenile offender reentry demonstration project as described in subsection (h) that includes—(A)a budget and a budget justification;(B)a description of the outcome measures that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the program in promoting public safety and public health;(C)the activities proposed;(D)a schedule for completion of the activities described in subparagraph (C); and(E)a description of the personnel necessary to complete the activities described in subparagraph (C).(2)

Maximum total grants and geographic diversity

(A)

Maximum amount

The Attorney General may not make planning grants and implementation grants to 1 eligible entity in a total amount that is more than a $1,000,000.(B)

Geographic diversity

The Attorney General shall make every effort to ensure equitable geographic distribution of grants under this section and take into consideration the needs of underserved populations, including rural and tribal communities.(3)

Period of grant

A planning grant made under this subsection shall be for a period of not longer than 1 year, beginning on the first day of the month in which the planning grant is made.(f)

Implementation grants

(1)

Applications

An eligible entity desiring an implementation grant under this subsection shall submit to the Attorney General an application that—(A)contains a reentry strategic plan as described in subsection (h), which describes the long-term strategy and incorporates a detailed implementation schedule, including the plans of the applicant to fund the program after Federal funding is discontinued;(B)identifies the local government role and the role of governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations that will be coordinated by, and that will collaborate on, the offender reentry strategy of the applicant, and certifies the involvement of such agencies and organizations;(C)describes the evidence-based methodology and outcome measures that will be used to evaluate the program funded with a grant under this subsection, and specifically explains how such measurements will provide valid measures of the impact of that program; and(D)describes how the project could be broadly replicated if demonstrated to be effective.(2)

Requirements

The Attorney General may make a grant to an applicant under this subsection only if the application—(A)reflects explicit support of the chief executive officer, or their designee, of the State, unit of local government, territory, or Indian tribe applying for a grant under this subsection;(B)provides extensive discussion of the role of Federal corrections, State corrections departments, community corrections agencies, juvenile justice systems, and tribal or local jail systems in ensuring successful reentry of offenders into their communities;(C)provides extensive evidence of collaboration with State and local government agencies overseeing health, housing, child welfare, education, substance abuse, victims services, and employment services, and with local law enforcement agencies;(D)provides a plan for analysis of the statutory, regulatory, rules-based, and practice-based hurdles to reintegration of offenders into the community;(E)includes the use of a State, local, territorial, or tribal task force, described in subsection (i), to carry out the activities funded under the grant;(F)provides a plan for continued collaboration with a local evaluator as necessary to meeting the requirements under subsection (h); and(G)demonstrates that the applicant participated in the planning grant process or engaged in comparable planning for the reentry project.(3)

Priority considerations

The Attorney General shall give priority to grant applications under this subsection that best—(A)focus initiative on geographic areas with a disproportionate population of offenders released from prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities;(B)include—(i)input from nonprofit organizations, in any case where relevant input is available and appropriate to the grant application;(ii)consultation with crime victims and offenders who are released from prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities;(iii)coordination with families of offenders;(iv)input, where appropriate, from the juvenile justice coordinating council of the region;(v)input, where appropriate, from the reentry coordinating council of the region; and(vi)other interested persons, as appropriate;(C)demonstrate effective case assessment and management abilities in order to provide comprehensive and continuous reentry, including—(i)planning for prerelease transitional housing and community release that begins upon admission for juveniles and jail inmates, and, as appropriate, for prison inmates, depending on the length of the sentence;(ii)establishing prerelease planning procedures to ensure that the eligibility of an offender for Federal, tribal, or State benefits upon release is established prior to release, subject to any limitations in law, and to ensure that offenders obtain all necessary referrals for reentry services, including assistance identifying and securing suitable housing; and(iii)delivery of continuous and appropriate mental health services, drug treatment, medical care, job training and placement, educational services, vocational services, and any other service or support needed for reentry;(D)review the process by which the applicant adjudicates violations of parole, probation, or supervision following release from prison, jail, or a juvenile facility, taking into account public safety and the use of graduated, community-based sanctions for minor and technical violations of parole, probation, or supervision (specifically those violations that are not otherwise, and independently, a violation of law);(E)provide for an independent evaluation of reentry programs that include, to the maximum extent possible, random assignment and controlled studies to determine the effectiveness of such programs;(F)target moderate and high-risk offenders for reentry programs through validated assessment tools; and(G)target offenders with histories of homelessness, substance abuse, or mental illness, including a prerelease assessment of the housing status of the offender and behavioral health needs of the offender with clear coordination with mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness services systems to achieve stable and permanent housing outcomes with appropriate support service.(4)

Amount

The amount of a grant made under this subsection may not be more than $925,000.(5)

Period of grant

A grant made under this subsection shall be effective for a 2-year period—(A)beginning on the date on which the planning grant awarded under subsection (e) concludes; or(B)in the case of an implementation grant awarded to an eligible entity that did not receive a planning grant, beginning on the date on which the implementation grant is awarded.

;

(4)in subsection (h)—(A)by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and(B)by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

As a condition of receiving financial assistance under subsection (f), each application shall develop a comprehensive reentry strategic plan that—(A)contains a plan to assess inmate reentry needs and measurable annual and 3-year performance outcomes;(B)uses, to the maximum extent possible, randomly assigned and controlled studies, or rigorous quasi-experimental studies with matched comparison groups, to determine the effectiveness of the program funded with a grant under subsection (f); and(C)includes as a goal of the plan to reduce the rate of recidivism for offenders released from prison, jail or a juvenile facility with funds made available under subsection (f).(2)

Local evaluator

A partnership with a local evaluator described in subsection (d)(2) shall require the local evaluator to use the baseline data and target population characteristics developed under a subsection (e) planning grant to derive a feasible and meaningful target goal for recidivism reduction during the 3-year period beginning on the date of implementation of the program.

;

(5)in subsection (i)(1)—(A)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking under this section and inserting under subsection (f); and(B)in subparagraph (B), by striking subsection (e)(4) and inserting subsection (f)(2)(D);(6)in subsection (j)—(A)in paragraph (1), by inserting for an implementation grant under subsection (f) after applicant;(B)in paragraph (2)—(i)in subparagraph (E), by inserting , where appropriate after support; and(ii)by striking subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), and inserting the following:

(F)increased number of staff trained to administer reentry services;(G)increased proportion of individuals served by the program among those eligible to receive services;(H)increased number of individuals receiving risk screening needs assessment, and case planning services;(I)increased enrollment in, and completion of treatment services, including substance abuse and mental health services among those assessed as needing such services;(J)increased enrollment in and degrees earned from educational programs, including high school, GED, vocational training, and college education;(K)increased number of individuals obtaining and retaining employment;(L)increased number of individuals obtaining and maintaining housing;(M)increased self-reports of successful community living, including stability of living situation and positive family relationships;(N)reduction in drug and alcohol use; and(O)reduction in recidivism rates for individuals receiving reentry services after release, as compared to either baseline recidivism rates in the jurisdiction of the grantee or recidivism rates of the control or comparison group.

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(C)in paragraph (3), by striking facilities. and inserting facilities, including a cost-benefit analysis to determine the cost effectiveness of the reentry program.;(D)in paragraph (4), by striking this section and inserting subsection (f); and(E)in paragraph (5), by striking this section and inserting subsection (f);(7)in subsection (k)(1), by striking this section each place the term appears and inserting subsection (f);(8)in subsection (l)—(A)in paragraph (2), by inserting beginning on the date on which the most recent implementation grant is made to the grantee under subsection (f) after 2-year period; and(B)in paragraph (4), by striking over a 2-year period and inserting during the 2-year period described in paragraph (2);(9)in subsection (o)(1), by striking appropriated and all that follows and inserting the following: appropriated $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.; and(10)by adding at the end the following:

(p)

Definition

In this section, the term reentry court means a program that—(1)monitors juvenile and adult eligible offenders reentering the community;(2)provides continual judicial supervision;(3)provides juvenile and adult eligible offenders reentering the community with coordinated and comprehensive reentry services and programs, such as—(A)drug and alcohol testing and assessment for treatment;(B)assessment for substance abuse from a substance abuse professional who is approved by the State or Indian tribe and licensed by the appropriate entity to provide alcohol and drug addiction treatment, as appropriate;(C)substance abuse treatment from a provider that is approved by the State or Indian tribe, and licensed, if necessary, to provide medical and other health services;(D)health (including mental health) services and assessment;(E)aftercare and case management services that—(i)facilitate access to clinical care and related health services; and(ii)coordinate with such clinical care and related health services; and(F)any other services needed for reentry;(4)convenes community impact panels, victim impact panels, or victim impact educational classes;(5)provides and coordinates the delivery of community services to juvenile and adult eligible offenders, including—(A)housing assistance;(B)education;(C)job training;(D)conflict resolution skills training;(E)batterer intervention programs; and(F)other appropriate social services; and(6)establishes and implements graduated sanctions and incentives.

(b)

Grants for family-Based substance abuse treatment

Part DD of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797s et seq.) is amended—(1)in section 2921 (42 U.S.C. 3797s), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting nonprofit organizations, before and Indian;(2)in section 2923 (42 U.S.C. 3797s–2), by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Priority considerations

The Attorney General shall give priority consideration to grant applications for grants under section 2921 that are submitted by a nonprofit organization that demonstrates a relationship with State and local criminal justice agencies, including—(1)within the judiciary and prosecutorial agencies; or(2)with the local corrections agencies, which shall be documented by a written agreement that details the terms of access to facilities and participants and provides information on the history of the organization of working with correctional populations.

; and

(3)by striking section 2926(a) (42 U.S.C. 3797s–5(a)), and inserting the following:

(a)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.

(c)

Grant program To evaluate and improve educational methods at prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities

Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3711 et seq.) is amended—(1)by redesignating part KK (42 U.S.C. 3797ee et seq.) as part LL;(2)by redesignating the second part designated as part JJ, as added by the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–199; 122 Stat. 677), relating to grants to evaluate and improve educational methods, as part KK;(3)by redesignating the second section designated as section 3001 and section 3002 (42 U.S.C. 3797dd and 3797dd–1), as added by the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–199; 122 Stat. 677), relating to grants to evaluate and improve educational methods, as sections 3005 and 3006, respectively;(4)in section 3005, as so redesignated—(A)in subsection (a)—(i)in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end;(ii)in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(iii)by adding at the end the following:

(4)implement methods to improve academic and vocational education for offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities consistent with the best practices identified in subsection (c).

;

(B)by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and(C)by inserting after subsection (b), the following:

(c)

Best practices

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2013, the Attorney General shall identify and publish best practices relating to academic and vocational education for offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities. The best practices shall consider the evaluations performed and recommendations made under grants made under subsection (a) before the date of enactment of the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2013.

; and

(5)in section 3006, as so redesignated, by striking to carry and all that follows through 2010 and inserting for each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 for grants for purposes described in section 3005(a)(4).(d)

Careers training demonstration grants

Section 115 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17511) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)by striking and Indian and inserting nonprofit organizations, and Indian; and(B)by striking technology career training to prisoners and inserting career training, including subsidized employment, when part of a training program, to prisoners and reentering youth and adults;(2)in subsection (b)—(A)by striking technology careers training;(B)by striking technology-based; and(C)by inserting , as well as upon transition and reentry into the community after facility;(3)by striking subsections (c) and (e);(4)by inserting after subsection (b) the following:

(c)

Priority consideration

Priority consideration shall be given to any application under this section that—(1)provides assessment of local demand for employees in the geographic areas to which offenders are likely to return;(2)conducts individualized reentry career planning upon the start of incarceration or post-release employment planning for each offender served under the grant;(3)demonstrates connections to employers within the local community; or(4)tracks and monitors employment outcomes.

; and

(5)by adding at the end the following:

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

(e)

Offender reentry substance abuse and criminal justice collaboration program

Section 201(f)(1) of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17521(f)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.

(f)

Community-Based mentoring and transitional service grants to nonprofit organizations

(1)

In general

Section 211 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17531) is amended—(A)in the header, by striking

Mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations

and inserting

Community-based mentoring and transitional service grants to nonprofit organizations

;(B)in subsection (a), by striking mentoring and other;(C)in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)transitional services to assist in the reintegration of offenders into the community, including—(A)educational, literacy, and vocational, services and the Transitional Jobs strategy;(B)substance abuse treatment and services;(C)coordinated supervision and comprehensive services for offenders, including housing and mental and physical health care;(D)family services; and(E)validated assessment tools to assess the risk factors of returning inmates; and

; and

(D)in subsection (f), by striking this section and all that follows and inserting the following: this section $15,000,000 for fiscal years 2014 through 2018..(2)

Table of contents amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17501 note) is amended by striking the item relating to section 211 and inserting the following:

Sec. 211. Community-based mentoring and transitional service grants.

(g)

Definitions

(1)

In general

Section 4 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17502) is amended to read as follows:

Definitions

In this Act—(1)the term exoneree means an individual who—(A)has been convicted of a Federal, tribal, or State offense that is punishable by a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year;(B)has served a term of imprisonment for not less than 6 months in a Federal, tribal, or State prison or correctional facility as a result of the conviction described in subparagraph (A); and(C)has been determined to be factually innocent of the offense described in subparagraph (A);(2)the term Indian tribe has the meaning given in section 901 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3791);(3)the term offender includes an exoneree; and(4)the term Transitional Jobs strategy means an employment strategy for youth and adults who are chronically unemployed or those that have barriers to employment that—(A)is conducted by State, tribal, and local governments, State, tribal, and local workforce boards, and nonprofit organizations;(B)provides time-limited employment using individual placements, team placements, and social enterprise placements, without displacing existing employees;(C)pays wages in accordance with applicable law, but in no event less than the higher of the rate specified in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)) or the applicable State or local minimum wage law, which are subsidized, in whole or in part, by public funds;(D)combines time-limited employment with activities that promote skill development, remove barriers to employment, and lead to unsubsidized employment such as a thorough orientation and individual assessment, job readiness and life skills training, case management and supportive services, adult education and training, child support-related services, job retention support and incentives, and other similar activities;(E)places participants into unsubsidized employment; and(F)provides job retention, re-employment services, and continuing and vocational education to ensure continuing participation in unsubsidized employment and identification of opportunities for advancement.

(2)

Table of contents amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17501 note) is amended by striking the item relating to section 4 and inserting the following:

Sec. 4. Definitions.

(h)

Extension of the length of section 2976 grants

Section 6(1) of the Second Chance Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17504(1)) is amended by inserting or under section 2976 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3797w) after and 212.