News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:November 21, 2023

Department of Correction Awarded Nearly Half a Million Dollar Grant from Department of Justice’s

Office of Justice Programs

Grant Will Expand Programs and Services for Individuals at High Risk for Recidivism

NYC DOC Selected from a Nationwide Pool of Applicants

The Department of Correction’s Programs and Community Partnerships Division has been awarded the Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 23 Smart Reentry: Expanding Jail Programs and Services grant. This $498,500 grant comes from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and will be used to enhance services for individuals that are at high risk of recidivism in DOC custody. Reentry services represent a critical need for those in the custody of jails and prisons. Programs that address systems that cause criminal behavior can have a significant impact on recidivism rates.

“As Commissioner, I have stressed the importance of expanding effective programming for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism and violence. Those in the field of Corrections must use every tool and strategy at their disposal to provide people in custody with the resources they need to seamlessly transition back into their communities,” said DOC Commissioner Louis Molina. “This grant and the progress it will support is another example of how the Adams administration continues to take a holistic approach to improving public safety in our city. I’m pleased the Department of Justice has seen the success we are achieving in New York City and invested in our department to continue that great work.”

“This grant from the Department of Justice is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams” said Deputy Commissioner for Programs and Community Partnerships, Francis Torres. We are deeply grateful and honored for this opportunity to expand our targeted programming that addresses individuals’ unique needs. This grant will make a positive impact on their lives and our communities.”

DOC’s Programs and Community Partnerships team will identify at least 70 individuals per year who are at high risk of recidivism and provide intensive post release services by developing a re-entry service plan. Discharge planners will engage with persons in custody who are at high-risk of recidivism to address behavioral and social barriers that may prevent them from achieving their specific goals by eliciting and exploring their desire to make positive changes.

Facilitated group interventions will address topics including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anger Management, Seeking Safety Trauma-Informed curriculum, and Relapse Prevention. They will also work with community-based organizations to refer individuals who need assistance with discharge planning and post-release services, including housing, employment, and access to public benefits.

Planners will provide more intensive support by increasing the frequency of 1-to-1 sessions with those individuals who display challenges when meeting their goals or those who have exhibited behaviors that hinder their progress. The Department plans to measure success by monitoring discharge planner’s completion of service plans with people in custody, individuals’ engagement in individualized services, incident-involvement, and recidivism in the community.

***

The New York City Department of Correction (DOC) is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment while providing individuals in our care with a path to successfully re-enter their communities.