WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County recognizes April as Second Chance Month to raise awareness about re-entry services offered to people returning from incarceration into the community by creating opportunities for successful transition. The county’s Public Safety Department works in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary Reentry Task Force, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, The Lord’s Place, and the city of Riviera Beach Reentry Center to provide case management and support services to returning residents.

Nationally, about 98 percent of adults sentenced to prison will return to the community. Locally, more than 1,700 people exit prison, jail, or juvenile residential commitment facilities each year. People who have a criminal history face stigmas and barriers during reentry, such as obtaining employment, housing, healthcare, and other basic needs.

The Public Safety Department has a voluntary program to assist people with these known obstacles. Reentry case managers are specially trained to motivate change and develop individualized plans that address these issues holistically.

Second Chance Month recognizes the Second Chance Act, a federal law that supports work to improve reentry systems across the country. Palm Beach County is a recipient of a Second Chance Act grant and is recognized as a national leader in reentry. Throughout April, community partners will host virtual or socially-distanced events to support second chances, including:

• Reentry Booth at the City of West Palm Beach GreenMarket on April 10;
• Panel Discussion and “Knife Skills” Documentary on April 13;

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/justiceservices/Pages/Reentry-Services.aspx