Project: PRISONER REENTRY INITIATIVE – TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE   

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Labor
Status: In process   
IPS Staff: Marion Pines, Michael Ford, Irene Hechler, and David Altschuler

Purpose and Approach
The Department of Labor has funded 30 sites located in 20 states to develop and implement employment-centered services targeted on offenders returning from incarceration. The intent is to reduce recidivism by helping inmates find work when they return to their communities. Statistics demonstrate that even before incarceration, many prisoners have weak or nonexistent ties to the workforce. Frequently there are also substance abuse and mental health issues that contribute to a return to criminal activity. The Prisoner Reentry Initiative enlists faith-based and community-based organizations to deliver social services to newly released inmates and seeks to coordinate service provision with supervision to ensure accountability for their behavior upon release.

Through this project, staff of the Sar Levitan Center will serve as site coaches for agencies participating in the Prisoner Reentry Initiative. IPS experts will also provide guidance and feedback to the sites and the Department of Labor on criminal justice issues and challenges, particularly with respect to offender reentry.

Results and Publications
Forthcoming.