Justice System and Reentry Programs
Last Updated: April 8, 2025
Second Chance Act reentry grants reduced by over 40%.
Byrne Justice Assistance Grants restricted to traditional law enforcement uses.
Restorative justice and youth violence prevention pilots eliminated.
Faith-based reentry and justice collaboration grants not renewed.
Grants being cut or changed
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has significantly scaled back support for reentry programs, criminal justice reform initiatives, and community policing grants in 2025. The Second Chance Act grants, which fund transitional housing, job training, and mental health services for people returning from incarceration, are being reduced by more than 40%. The Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG)—a key source of flexible funding for local law enforcement and prevention programs—are being restricted to more traditional law enforcement uses, cutting off support for community-based diversion and youth programs.
Eliminations or restructuring
Several pilot programs that supported restorative justice, alternatives to incarceration, and youth violence prevention have been eliminated. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has restructured its funding priorities to favor state systems over local innovation, making it harder for small nonprofits to access funds. Faith-based reentry initiatives and nonprofit-led justice collaboratives are seeing their grants expire without renewal.
On hold or court challenges
As of spring 2025, a national reentry coalition is preparing a legal challenge to the mid-cycle termination of Second Chance Act grants, arguing that these cuts disrupt services to thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals. Several advocacy organizations are also lobbying Congress for emergency supplemental funding to keep essential reentry services running.
Timeline
Cuts to DOJ reentry and prevention programs began in early 2025, with major reductions anticipated in FY2026. Some grantees have been told not to expect funding beyond their current contract year. New grant announcements have been delayed or withdrawn.
State-level impact
Kentucky and Ohio have model reentry programs that are now at risk, with some already reducing services like peer mentorship and transitional employment. Pennsylvania’s youth violence prevention programs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh face grant uncertainty. Tennessee, West Virginia, and South Carolina are all experiencing gaps in community supervision and workforce reentry supports as funding diminishes. In North Carolina, faith-based providers working with returning citizens are preparing for layoffs.
Sources
U.S. Department of Justice. (2025, March 10). Budget Justification for FY2026. https://www.justice.gov/doj/fy2026-budget-justification
Council of State Governments Justice Center. (2025, March 22). Update on Second Chance Act funding. https://csgjusticecenter.org/news/second-chance-funding-2025
The Marshall Project. (2025, March 30). Reentry groups brace for cuts under new DOJ budget. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/03/30/reentry-program-cuts
Associated Press. (2025, April 5). Advocates warn of rising recidivism amid grant rollbacks. https://apnews.com/article/reentry-program-funding-cuts-2025
