TJC Initiative

     Note: please note that this profile of a policy option or program model should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you.

 

This policy option or model program profile relates to the following issue overview(s):

• Juvenile Offender Reentry- USA 

 

Summary    one paragrph description 

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•  Over nine million people pass through America's local jails each year and these individuals often receive little in the way of services, support, or supervision as they leave jail and reenter the community. In response to the need for jurisdictions across the country to address jail/community transition, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) partnered with the Urban Institute (UI) in 2007 to launch the Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) initiative. ^[1]

 

 

Goal    short description of the policy or program goal  

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• The goal of the TJC model is to improve public safety and reintegration outcomes. ^[2]

 

 

Cost    total policy or program cost; also include per person cost if available 

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• Funding source: National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice ^[3]

 

 

Implementation    describe how the policy or program is implemented (esp. who, how) 

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• The TJC initiative is designed to advance coordinated and collaborative relationships between jails and local communities to address reentry, leading to enhanced

      public safety, reduced recidivism, and improved individual reintegration outcomes. These objectives are to be achieved through the development, implementation and the      evaluation of an innovative and effective jail-to-community transition model.^[4]

• The first phase of the initiative was dedicated to the design, and development of anadaptable and effective model for jail transition that can be implemented in a wide variety of settings (rural, suburban and urban) with diverse jail populations. During Phase II of the initiative, implementation of the TJC model began in two jurisdictions, Douglas County, KS and Denver, CO in the fall of 2008. In Phase III, implementation will continue in the initial two TJC sites, while four additional jurisdictions are selected in the summer of 2009. Each site employs the TJC model as a guide to devise a TJC approach tailored to local circumstances, resources and priorities. All six TJC sites will receive tailored technical assistance to implement the model. ^[5]
• The Urban Institute will conduct evaluations in all six sites to assess how the TJC model was implemented and the extent to which it led to anticipated outcomes at both the system and individual level. The TJC project team is also developing a web-based TJC Implementation Toolkit for use by practitioners and policymakers interested in replicating the TJC approach.^[6]
• To see complete implementations for TJC sites and the TJC model, click here.

 

 

Evaluation    summarize any evaluation findings that policy or program effectiveness

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• The web-based TJC Implementation Toolkit is scheduled for release in September of 2009. The team will also periodically issue research briefs reporting on the progress and outcomes of their evaluation efforts.^[7]

 

 

Status    indicate whether this policy or program has been adopted in more locations or remains a proposal 

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•  The TJC approach is being piloted in six sites around the country. Each site receives training and technical assistance over a period of two years to adapt and implement the comprehensive jail/community transition approach.

  In September 2008, NIC and UI selected the first two TJC pilot sites: Denver, Colorado and Douglas County, Kansas. These jurisdictions have helped TJC staff hone the implementation approach and refine the model.

  In August 2009, four additional TJC sites were selected through an open call for applications: Davidson County, Tennessee; Kent County, Michigan; La Crosse County, Wisconsin; and Orange County, California.^[8]

 

 

Point of View    quotations from those in support or opposition to this policy or program 

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•  

 

 

Contact     contact information for sponsor of this policy or program 

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• Amy Solomon, Urban Institute

 

 

 

Bibliography    link to any additional readings or websites related to this policy or program 

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• National Institute of Corrections, & Urban Institute (2002). The Transition from Jail to the Community (TJC) Initiative. 

Footnotes

1. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/ ▲
2. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/ ▲
3. http://reentrypolicy.org/government_affairs/national_initiatives#tjc ▲
4. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/upload/TJC-Initiative-Overview.pdf ▲
5. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/upload/TJC-Initiative-Overview.pdf ▲
6. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/upload/TJC-Initiative-Overview.pdf ▲
7. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/upload/TJC-Initiative-Overview.pdf ▲
8. http://www.urban.org/projects/tjc/participatingsites.cfm ▲