BJA FY 10 Second Chance Act Reentry Demonstration Program: Targeting Offenders with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

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The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities, including resources to address the myriad needs of these offenders to achieve a successful return to their communities. Section 201 of the Act specifically addresses the treatment needs of offenders who have substance abuse disorders. The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has reported over 50 percent of jail and prison inmates were abusing or dependent on drugs in the year before their admission to prison. BJS has also reported that 16 percent of jail and prison inmates were identified as having a mental illness. Other studies have shown that prevalence rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders in inmate populations are striking. With regard to the prevalence of substance use disorders among those with severe mental disorders, research indicates that jail detainees have a 72 percent rate of co-occurring substance use. Section 201 of the Second Chance Act authorizes grants to states, units of local government, territories, and Indian tribes to improve the provision of drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities during the period of incarceration and through the completion of parole or other court supervision after release into the community. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications from eligible applicants to implement or expand offender treatment programs for re-entering offenders with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.

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