- Office of Grants and Research
- Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Media Contact
Renee Algarin, Director of Communications
Braintree — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced nearly $6.8 million in state and federal funding to support programs designed to reduce recidivism, address substance use disorder, and deliver reentry services for emerging adults ages 18 to 25.
Through the FY26 Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative, the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) awarded $5.95 million to six nonprofit organizations delivering coordinated pre- and post-release services in partnership with county Sheriff’s Departments and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. An additional $525,000 was awarded to a Technical Assistance Provider to support implementation and continuous improvement. OGR also awarded $310,000 to Massachusetts Sheriff’s Departments through the federally funded Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) Grant Program, which provides resources to corrections agencies to deliver services to treat substance use disorder and reduce future offenses driven by addiction.
“Massachusetts is a national leader on reducing recidivism because we invest in evidence-based programs that work,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By funding and supporting these proven programs for emerging adults, we strengthen public safety in communities across Massachusetts.”
“Strong partnerships between community organizations, local Sheriff’s Departments, and the Department of Correction are essential to public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By working together, we can provide emerging adults with the guidance and support they need, reduce recidivism, and keep Massachusetts safe.”
“A truly comprehensive public safety strategy goes beyond enforcement. It combines prevention, programming, and strong collaboration with our partners,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “We are proud to work with community organizations, the Department of Corrections, and local sheriff’s departments, to focus on practical supports for emerging adults that reduce the risk of re-offending, promote stability, and expand opportunity.”
“These grant programs support evidence-based approaches to improving public safety,” said Office of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton. “The services funded through these programs are tailored to address underlying factors that contribute to criminal acts, reducing the risk that participants will reoffend in the future.”
The Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative provides funds to community-based nonprofits that work closely with corrections agencies. Funded organizations will use the grants to provide pre- and post-release reentry services to those between the ages of 18 to 25 The programs have had success steering participants away from future involvement in the criminal justice system. The grant program also funds a Technical Assistance Provider, who delivers technical, strategic and research support to ensure the funded programs meet their goals.
The RSAT Grant Program allows corrections agencies to deliver programming to address substance use disorder. The evidence-based programs are designed to reduce the likelihood that program participants will use substances and commit future offenses following their return to the community.
The following nonprofits will receive funds through the Emerging Adult Reentry Initiative:
| Award Recipients | Program Partners | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. | Suffolk County Sheriff's Department | $650,000 |
| Legendary Legacies, Inc. | Worcester County Sheriff's Office | $500,000 |
| Roca, Inc. | Department of Correction (DOC), Essex County Sheriff's Department, Hampden County Sheriff's Office, Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, Probation Service | $1,609,000 |
| The Mission Inc. | Hampden County Sheriff's Office | $1,300,000 |
| Uncornered, Inc | Plymouth County Sheriff's Office | $691,000 |
| UTEC | DOC, Middlesex Sheriff's Office, Essex County Sherrif's Department | $1,200,000 |
Technical Assistance Provider: UTEC Training Center for Excellence | All funded programs | $525,000 |
The following Sheriff’s Departments were awarded funds through the RSAT Grant Program:
| Award Recipient | Award |
|---|---|
| Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Berkshire County Sheriff’s Department | $35,000 |
| Bristol County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Essex County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Franklin County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department | $35,000 |
| Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department | $30,000 |
| Worcester County Sheriff’s Department | $29,120 |
Reentry programs are part of the Administration’s broader strategy to reduce recidivism, improve outcomes and promote public safety statewide. A report published by DOC last year showed lower recidivism rates among individuals who took part in vocational, educational and treatment programs compared to those who did not complete such programs. Recent and ongoing initiatives include:
- Credible Messengers: A transformative mentoring model that pairs returning residents and families with EOPSS employees who have relevant lived experience to support stabilization, goal setting, and successful community reintegration.
- BRAVE Unit (DOC, NCCI-Gardner): Community-based unit for emerging adult fathers that builds parenting and life skills, uses peer mentorship, and strengthens healthy family engagement.
- PEACE Unit (DOC, MCI-Framingham): Developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed community for women ages 18 to 29. Emphasizes decision-making, personal responsibility, peer support, and readiness for reentry.
- Parole Community Pathways: Transitional and field services that align supervision with treatment, education, training, and employment to support continuity of care in the community. This program is supported through a federal Second Chance Act grant awarded to OGR by the Department of Justice.
- Boston College Prison Education Program (BCPEP) Expansion (DOC, MCI-Framingham): Building on the BCPEP’s success at MCI-Shirley, a one-year pilot program launched in January to expand the education program to MCI-Framingham through a grant from the New England Prison Education Collaborative.
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Media Contact
Office of Grants and Research
