US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Monday announced that the Vermont Department of Corrections will receive $810,000 in federal grant funding to reintegrate more than 200 offenders and expand statewide planning to reduce recidivism. The grants were awarded under the Second Chance Act, which Leahy has championed as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Leahy has sponsored legislation to reauthorize the Second Chance Act in past Congresses.
‘As a former prosecutor, I believe strongly in securing tough and appropriate prison sentences for people who break our laws. But with our prisons facing overcrowding, it is also important that we invest in proven programs to ensure that when these people get out of prison, they enter our communities as productive members of society,’ Leahy said. ‘This will help to start reversing the dangerous cycle of recidivism and violence. This funding will help Vermont break this cycle.’
The Vermont Department of Corrections was awarded $750,000 through the Second Chance Act Two-Phase Adult Reentry Demonstration Program to address the challenges posed by reentry into the community. The grant will be used to reintegrate 200 offenders by providing the resources and supervision necessary to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the community.
The Department was also awarded a $60,000 to expand statewide planning to reduce recidivism.
Second Chance Act programs are designed to help communities develop and implement comprehensive and collaborative strategies that address the challenges posed by offender reentry and recidivism reduction.
WASHINGTON (Monday, Sept. 30, 2013) ‘ US Senator Patrick Leahy
Vermont Department of Corrections nets $810,000 in Second Chance Act grants
Submitted by tim
on