Every April we recognize National Minority Health Month and this year, we also celebrate Second Chance Month. President Donald J. Trump has designated April as Second Chance Month to emphasize “the need to prevent crime on our streets, to respect the rule of law by prosecuting individuals who break the law, and to provide opportunities for people with criminal records to earn an honest second chance.”
The presidential proclamation underscores the importance of successful reentry to reduce repeat offenses, crime rates and prison populations, and a decrease of the taxpayers’ burden. Helping returning citizens secure gainful employment is a key focus of reentry efforts. Alongside opportunities for work and education, access to health care to address critical health needs also aide the ability of individuals to turn their lives around.
Justice-involved individuals have disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions, infectious disease, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Poor access to health coverage and health care pose significant challenges for this population, can contribute to a worsening of their health status and are associated with higher rates of recidivism.
The continuing opioid epidemic provides a stark example of the importance of addressing health needs upon reentry. Research shows substantially elevated risk of drug overdose death within the first two weeks of an individual’s release from prison, and drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among former inmates. Innovative programs to ensure access to and continuity of evidence-based treatment immediately upon release and provision of naloxone have demonstrated promising outcomes in preventing overdose death and helping individuals overcome addiction.
Tackling overlapping health and public safety issues such as the opioid crisis and breaking down barriers to successful reentry require strong partnerships between multiple sectors, including education, employment, housing, transportation, behavioral health, public health, health care, and justice system organizations.
To support these efforts, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) funds community-based, multi-sectorial activities to increase access to health services through the Re-Entry Community Linkages (RE-LINK) program. Eight RE-LINK grantees are working to improve health outcomes for minority re-entrants in transition from jail to their communities by providing linkages to health care, including behavioral health services, health care coverage, and other social services, such as housing, adult education, and employment assistance programs.
Here are some additional Re-Entry Resources, including materials on health, housing, education, employment and other reentry-related areas for individuals, families, organizations and other stakeholders.
Along with the Second Chance Month proclamation, President Trump also signed an executive order in March to establish the Federal Interagency Council on Crime Prevention and Improving Reentry to support intergovernmental collaboration to prevent youths and adults from entering or reentering the criminal justice system. Working together, we can support individuals who have exited the criminal justice system and give them the best opportunities for a second chance, while improving health outcomes. Join us during Second Chance Month to learn more about federal resources and information on reentry programs.