September 21, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michael Winder, Communications & Information Manager

State receives $1 million for Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative

(Pierre, S.D.)- The State of South Dakota will receive $1 million in second year funding from a federal Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative grant to assist with adult prisoner reentry and recidivism reduction.

In 2009, the state was awarded $750,000 to implement programs and strategies to reduce recidivism, the return to prison of those who commit subsequent crimes or violate conditions of supervision. Last week, the South Dakota Department of Corrections (DOC) was notified that the state’s award amount was being increased for the second year of the initiative to $1 million. 

“Continued funding of the reentry initiative is extremely positive news for our state,” said Secretary of Corrections Denny Kaemingk. “We have a goal to reduce the recidivism rate by 50 percent within five years and this funding allows us to continue our push toward that goal.”

The target population for the reentry initiative is high risk and need offenders that are paroling to the Sioux Falls and Rapid City areas. The program components are based on evidence-based practices and include assessments, intensive case management, institutional programming such as cognitive behavioral groups and employability classes, release planning, and community-based services such as housing assistance, mentorship, mental health and chemical dependency services and employability assistance.

“We’re already starting to reap the benefits of the reentry initiative,” said Kaemingk. “Our adult recidivism rate for those inmates leaving prison in 2009 was 28.7 percent, down from 31.2 percent the previous year.”

Since the state was originally awarded the Second Chance Act funds, a Reentry Council was formed including the state secretaries of Corrections, Education, Labor & Regulation, Health, Human Services, Military, Veteran’s Affairs, Social Services, Tribal Relations, the executive director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority, and representatives from local government entities and organizations.

The Reentry Council established a Reentry Workgroup to serve as a statewide multi-disciplinary implementation team to identify existing services as well as gaps and barriers for inmates in the community. Reentry Task Forces are in place in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, made up of local leaders and community-based organizations that provide services to offenders. The Task Forces are also assisting in soliciting support and involvement in transition efforts at the community level.

For more information on the state’s adult reentry initiative, visit the DOC website at: http://doc.sd.gov/about/reentry/

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*Kaemingk  (KAY’-mink)