BRAINTREE, Mass. (WWLP)– In an effort to provide support to those leaving incarceration, The Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative has awarded several Sheriff offices and the Department of Correction (DOC) grant funding, including the Hampden County Sheriff.
The money will provide collaborative reentry programs aimed at reducing recidivism and improving outcomes among young people, aged 18-25, transitioning from incarceration. The programs partner with Sheriffs and DOC in pre- and post-release services.
According to a report from the UTEC’s Training Center for Excellence, only 24 percent of program participants had a new arraignment in the first year following their release from incarceration. Research from the Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that, nationally, approximately 43 percent of individuals were rearrested at least once during their first year of release.
“Quality reentry programs are essential to preventing recidivism and improving outcomes for young adults. The Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative combines evidence-based programming with ongoing technical assistance and strong collaboration between partner agencies and service providers. This approach creates the best possible outcomes for system-involved young adults and communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“Successful reentry is critical to community safety. Services offered through this program can dramatically reduce the likelihood that a young person will commit a new offense. This not only creates a better future for individuals participating in the program, but also improves public safety for all of Massachusetts,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy.
FY25 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative grant funds were awarded to:
| Award Recipient | Program Partner(s) | Award Amount |
| Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. | Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department | $650,000 |
| Roca, Inc. | DOC, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, Probation | $1,609,000 |
| UTEC | DOC, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Sherrif’s Department | $1,200,000 |
| The Mission Inc. | Hampden County Sheriff’s Office | $1,300,000 |
| Uncornered, Inc | Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office | $691,000 |
| Legendary Legacies, Inc. | Worcester County Sheriff’s Office | $500,000 |
The following organization was selected as the FY25 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative Technical Assistance Provider:
| Award Recipient | Award Amount |
| UTEC Training Center for Excellence | $525,000 |
