The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system. BJA’s mission is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support state, local, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. BJA works with communities, governments, and nonprofit organizations to reduce crime, recidivism, and unnecessary confinement, and promote a safe and fair criminal justice system.
The Second Chance Act (SCA) Community-based Reentry Program aims to aid organizations and tribal governments in providing comprehensive reentry services to formerly incarcerated individuals. Its overarching goals are to improve reentry outcomes, reduce recidivism, and aid individuals in successfully transitioning back into their communities. This includes funding for community-based non-profit organizations and federally recognized tribal governments to employ evidence-based strategies. Critical components of the program involve screening, assessing, and identifying individuals for program participation prior to their release, followed by intensive case management and connection to evidence-based programming to ensure a safe and smooth reintegration into society.