U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson announces $680,391 to support offenders returning to communities in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson today announced $680,391 in Department of Justice grants to reduce recidivism among adults and juvenile offenders returning to their communities in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, after confinement. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), are part of more than $92 million in funding to support reentry efforts throughout the United States.

Bernalillo County will receive these funds under the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Second Chance Act Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents with Minor Children Program, which supports the successful and safe transition of young fathers and mothers from confinement to their families and communities.

“The goal of rehabilitation is that, once a person has served a sentence, he or she will return to society as a productive and law abiding citizen,” said Anderson. “For individuals with children, part of that means returning to the responsibilities of parenting. That includes not only providing for a family, but playing an integral role in the development of their children, leading to better outcomes generationally for families and communities. This grant funds services to help parents reach those objectives.”

“Former offenders are ultimately responsible for their own successes and failures, but our criminal and juvenile justice systems have an important role to play in preparing them for the obstacles that lie before them,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “I’m very pleased to make these resources available to help them get back on their feet and contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the betterment of our nation.”

The reentry and recidivism reduction grants awarded will help communities develop and implement comprehensive strategies to address the challenges posed by reentry and recidivism; support reentry services for detained juveniles and incarcerated parents with children under the age of 18; and support research and evaluation programs to advance understanding about reoffending.

More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years

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