Rep. Larson, Gov. Malloy: Connecticut Receives Millions in ‘Second Chance Act’ Grants for Crime Reduction Initiatives

HARTFORD, CT - Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the State of Connecticut has been awarded over $2.3 million in grants from the United States Department of Justice under the federal Second Chance Act that will help bolster one of the state's criminal justice efforts. The grants, awarded to both the Department of Corrections, the City of New Haven, and a variety of non-profit organizations, will support a wide range of efforts to reduce recidivism and help turn offenders into productive members of society.

The federal grants will directly support the Governor's Second Chance Society crime reduction initiative, which he signed into law this summer. They specifically focus on reducing recidivism by improving programing, implementing juvenile justice reforms, supporting strategic planning, and developing new strategies.

"I commend Governor Malloy for his commitment to the Second Chance program," Congressman John Larson (CT-1) said. "These grants will help Connecticut reduce criminal recidivism while strengthening the community and our families. Public safety remains a top priority, and we have seen time and again that providing support, mentoring, and opportunities to those transitioning out of incarceration dramatically reduces the chances they will re-offend. The United States has a larger imprisoned population than nearly any other nation. It is our responsibility to change that, and the Second Chance initiative is a positive step in that direction."

"In Connecticut, we are working to break a cycle of crime and poverty that has persistent for too long. Our efforts are about lowering crime, benefitting the economy, and transforming lives and communities. Crime is already at a nearly 50-year low - and we're working to drive it down even further," Governor Malloy said. "The Second Chance Society is not just about being tough on crime, but smart on crime. We're fundamentally changing the way we approach criminal justice in Connecticut, and these grants will no doubt help. I would like to thank Connecticut's Congressional delegation for their work on helping secure these dollars, as well as the Department of Justice and Attorney General Loretta Lynch."

Last month, the FBI released statistics showing that in 2014, Connecticut had the fourth largest drop in violent crime of any state in the nation - a 9.7% decline over the prior year. That is on top of a 10.1% decrease the state experienced in 2013.

The Governor said that a broad coalition of public safety and criminal justice professionals working cohesively, along with nonprofits and community groups focused on prevention and rehabilitation, are helping the state make extraordinary strides at reducing crime in the state.

"This major federal investment is an endorsement of the powerful work Connecticut is doing to develop strategies, programs and policies to drive down recidivism and end the cycle of incarceration," Senator Richard Blumenthal said. "The goals of criminal justice are only truly served when offenders who have served their time are able to successfully transition back into their communities and families in a way that lowers the risk that they will commit another crime. That means providing services to both children and their incarcerated parents, providing meaningful employment and housing assistance, and developing a structure for sentencing and incarceration that promotes rehabilitation over punishment alone. Connecticut's Second Chance Society initiative is leading the nation in building a criminal justice system that recognizes the need to hold law-breakers accountable while also making sure they, their families and communities have access to the services they need to reduce the risk of future criminal behavior."

"Society benefits when ex-offenders have the necessary tools, not just to re-enter our community, but to create productive lives for themselves and their families," Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) said. "New Haven has been in the forefront of this effort with their innovative Fresh Start Reentry Initiative. I am proud that so many Connecticut organizations are dedicated to providing opportunities to ensure that everyone in our state has the opportunity to succeed."

"An individual who has paid his or her price to our state should not be encouraged to recidivate due to a lack of resources or difficulty finding a job," Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) said. "We need strong training and job placement programs to assist these men and women re-entering our society. I applaud the Department of Justice and the Governor's Office on their commitment to a strategy to reduce recidivism. These federal grants will go a long way to improve the lives of young people and adults across Connecticut and strengthen our communities."

"Reintegration of non-violent offenders is a priority in New Haven because it reunites families, rebuilds trust and faith, and restores men and women to contributing, productive members of this community," New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp said. "Funding from these grants will help underwrite program development and administration among all providers to help provide a Fresh Start and the benefit of a second chance to those who are committed to learning from a previous incarceration."

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