This report summarizes the lessons learned in implementing the Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Courts, created by the federal government in 2007. Reentry courts work to address the often overwhelming obstacles confronting formerly incarcerated individuals, specifically as applies to recidivism and the search for stable employment. Key lessons highlighted by this report include: developing organizational partnerships, staffing considerations, selecting and recruiting the target population, designing and implementing program components, coordinating service delivery for reentry court populations, and adapting to implementation challenges. The report presents final implementation findings based on three years of process evaluation site visits funded by the National Institute of Justice and is the last in a series of three process evaluation reports.
Findings are based primarily upon semi-structured interviews conducted during three rounds of site visits (2011-2014) with program staff and representatives from partnering agencies in seven reentry courts.