Reentry Education Model Released as Framework for Improving Rehabilitation Programs
The Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education announced
today a new, nearly $1 million grant fund entitled, “Promoting Reentry
Success through Continuity of Educational Opportunities” (PRSCEO), that
will invest in innovative programs preparing incarcerated individuals to
successfully reenter society with the support of education and
workforce training. Eligible applicants include adult education
providers partnering to connect education in state correctional
facilities with local communities.
PRSCEO provides an important opportunity for applicants to create new
approaches and improvements for existing rehabilitation services.
Every year, more than 700,000 incarcerated individuals leave
federal and state prisons. Yet, existing policies and programs too often
fail to prepare released prisoners to reenter society, leading 4 of
every 10 to commit new crimes or violate terms of their release within 3
years. Failure to support successful rehabilitation costs states more
than $50 billion annually.
Based on a cooperative agreement, the one-time grant funding comes from a
section of the Second Chance Act, administered by the Bureau of Justice
Assistance, a component within the Office of Justice Programs at the
Department of Justice.
“Expanding access to education is a proven strategy for reducing
recidivism and preventing crime,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. “By
working together to support education and training programs for those
rejoining our communities, the Departments of Justice and Education are
helping to improve outcomes and ensure public safety.”
“Education is key to creating successful pathways toward prosperity and
opportunity for children and adults,” said U.S. Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan. “Promoting effective policies that offer education and
workforce training to low-skill individuals will protect our communities
and benefit our economy.”
The announcement was made today during a Department of Education-hosted
Correctional Education Summit that gathered outside experts engaged in
pursuing developing innovations to improve educational opportunities for
youth and adults in secure confinement facilities. In conjunction with
the event, the Department of Education released a new Reentry Education
Model guidance document. Guidance outlined in the reentry model offers
evidence-based improvements to support low-skill individuals leaving
prison to successfully transition back into society through education
and career advancement.
Suggested improvements include establishing an integrated reentry
program that offers and incorporates education services, workforce
training, and job search support into intake and prerelease processes
and links education to employment services; targeting job support to
labor market demands that do not have criminal history restrictions;
using technology to increase program access and data to measure
performance and outcomes; and conducting thorough program evaluations to
further share lessons learned and best practices.
Additional guidance on educational resources for incarcerated
individuals reintegrating into society is available through the
Department of Education‘s Office of Vocational and Adult Education’s
Take Charge of Your Future. The guide was recently
updated to offer advice and information that serves a broader
population, members of the community corrections population – the nearly
five million Americans on parole or probation -- as well as
incarcerated individuals.
Applications will be accepted until Dec. 26, 2012. The Department of
Education anticipates awarding two to four grants ranging from $200,000
to $400,000. Awards will be made in January 2013.
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