Second Chance Act Grant Program
The Second Chance Act (SCA) supports state, local, and Tribal governments and nonprofit organizations in their work to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for people returning from state and federal prisons, local jails, and juvenile facilities. Passed with bipartisan support and signed into law on April 9, 2008, SCA legislation authorizes federal grants for vital programs and systems reform aimed at improving the reentry process. It also funded the creation of the National Reentry Resource Center, the primary source of information and guidance on reentry policy, practice, and research.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) funds and administers the Second Chance Act grants. Within OJP, the Bureau of Justice Assistance awards SCA grants serving adults, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awards grants serving youth. Since 2009, more than 1,100 awards have been made to grantees across 49 states.
Technical Assistance
The CSG Justice Center has provided training and technical assistance to Second Chance Act grantees since 2009. We are currently the training and technical assistance provider for the following SCA grant programs:
- Improving Adult and Youth Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry
- Improving Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry
- Pay for Success Initiative
- Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children
Highlights and Successes
This guide from The Council of State Governments Justice Center is intended…
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This explainer explores new federal laws that change how correctional systems provide…
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With this resource, correctional leaders will gain a greater understanding of how…
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This brief provides justice professionals who are responsible for youth and young…
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This guide outlines ways to support a family member or loved one…
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This guide outlines four best practices that case managers can implement to…
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The Zero Returns to Homelessness Resource and Technical Assistance Guide is a…
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On March 9, 2024, President Joe Biden signed a $460 billion spending…
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The Second Chance Act (SCA) supports state, local, and tribal governments and…
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The CSG Justice Center recently held a briefing on Capitol Hill with…
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This report summarizes key findings and policy implications from a nationwide questionnaire…
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When people return to their communities after incarceration, they often face multiple…
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The Second Chance Act Crisis Stabilization and Community Reentry program provides clinical…
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Visiting is an essential way for families to maintain and strengthen relationships…
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s one of the first points of contact in the criminal justice…
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This workshop focuses on jail and prison policies that support strengthening relationships…
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