NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser today announced over 4.4 million dollars in Department of Justice grants to reduce recidivism among adults and juvenile offenders returning to their communities in the Eastern District of Louisiana after confinement. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of more than $92 million in funding to support reentry efforts throughout the United States.
These awards represent President Trump’s commitment to assisting people in America’s prisons and detention facilities who have earned the opportunity to take their places back in society.
“Former offenders are ultimately responsible for their own successes and failures, but our criminal and juvenile justice systems have an important role to play in preparing them for the obstacles that lie before them,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “I’m very pleased to make these resources available to help them get back on their feet and contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the betterment of our nation.”
The reentry and recidivism reduction grants awarded will help communities develop and implement comprehensive strategies to address the challenges posed by reentry and recidivism; support reentry services for detained juveniles and incarcerated parents with children under the age of 18; and support research and evaluation programs to advance understanding about reoffending.
“Recidivism poses an extreme threat to our community and places a heavy burden upon society,” said U.S. Attorney Strasser. “Formerly incarcerated offenders need and deserve additional support to assist their transition back into mainstream society. This funding will help our communities develop and implement re-entry strategies that will greatly benefit formerly incarcerated offenders and the community as a whole.”
The following organizations received funding:
- Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections $2,449,780
- Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana, Inc. $749,994
- Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections $498,759
- Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office $749,022
