In the United States, ex-offender grants usually do not involve direct payments to former convicts. Instead the term refers to government grants for programs that are designed to help prisoners reintegrate into society, with the ultimate goal being to reduce the likelihood of them re-offending.
Second Chance Act
As of June 2011, the most significant piece of legislation affecting ex-offender programs is the Second Chance Act of 2007. While technically a new law, the act's purpose was to authorize Congress to spend money on grants for state and local governments. Such grants are designed to promote the reentry of offenders into society through measures such as mentoring, employment services and substance abuse treatment. In 2010 Congress issued a total of $100 million under the act. This act should not be confused with the Second Chance Act of 2009, which allows ex-offenders to have non-violent convictions expunged (wiped clean) in certain circumstances.
States
Most states have at least one or two programs that receive grants for ex-offender programs. However, many of these programs are restricted to a region within the state, to ex-offenders of a specific age, or both. It is therefore not safe to assume that any individual ex-offender is certain to have access to a reentry program.
Funding
As of June 2011, funding under the Second Chance Act was scheduled to be cut for the fiscal year starting on 1 October 2012. This is part of overall cuts in federal spending. Critics have argued this is particularly unwelcome giving the increasing prison population and the associated increase in ex-offenders.
Veterans
The government issues specific grants for use with ex-offenders who are military veterans. In 2012 the U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans' Employment and Training Services issued 12 grants of up to $300,000 for the creation of Incarcerated Veterans Transition Programs. Such programs are designed to reach ex-offenders who are at risk of being homeless and can offer counseling services and work preparation schemes.
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