The Essex County Sheriff’s Department was among those recently awarded state Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative grants to reduce repeat offenses and improve outcomes of people aged 18 to 25 who are leaving prison.
Chelsea-based Roca was awarded $1.6 million to provide programs for the prison and probations operations of the Sheriff’s Departments of Essex, Hampden and Suffolk counties, while UTEC—which operates in Haverhill, Lawrence and Lowell—was awarded $1.2 million for prisons operated by the Sherriff’s Departments in Essex and Middlesex counties. According to the state, programs partner with the departments to deliver pre- and post-release services.
“Quality reentry programs are essential to preventing recidivism and improving outcomes for young adults. The Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative combines evidence-based programming with ongoing technical assistance and strong collaboration between partner agencies and service providers. This approach creates the best possible outcomes for system-involved young adults and communities across Massachusetts,” said Gov. Maura Healey.
UTEC’s Training Center for Excellence was also awarded $525,000 as technical assistance provider.
A UTEC report found that, during 2023, participants in the programs committed new offenses at a rate lower than the national average with 24% of participants having a new arraignment in the first year following release. Research from the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that, nationally, approximately 43% of individuals were rearrested at least once during their first year of release.
“This not only creates a better future for individuals participating in the program, but also improves public safety for all of Massachusetts,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.
The state-funded program is managed by the Office of Grants and Research.