Supporting Successful Community Reintegration

The Second Chance Reentry Program, funded by COMBAT, is a collaborative initiative designed to support individuals returning to Kansas City communities after incarceration. This unique program combines reentry case management, cognitive intervention groups, employment services, direct support, and supervision coordination. It aims to reduce recidivism and promote safety in some of Kansas City’s highest-need neighborhoods.

A Powerful Collaboration For Violence Reduction

Since 2020, the program has brought together key partners including COMBAT, the Western District of Missouri United States Attorney’s Office, Missouri Probation & Parole, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission. This collaboration builds upon the success of the Crime Commission’s existing Second Chance program, which has operated for four years in violent hotspot areas of the city.

In 2024, the program expanded to include important violence reduction partners like Partners for Peace, Violence Free Kansas City, and KC 360. These organizations work alongside law enforcement and social services to implement intentional, community-focused strategies aimed at reducing violence and improving well-being for residents affected by crime.

Project Safe Neighborhoods: A Strategic Framework

The program aligns with the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative—a comprehensive gun violence prevention effort active in the Kansas City metropolitan area for over eight years. PSN focuses on reducing firearm violence in high-crime zones, including COMBAT Hotspots A, B, and G. The Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission serves as fiscal agent for PSN and oversees program implementation.

By integrating the Second Chance Reentry Program within this broader framework, the initiative targets individuals at high risk of reoffending within the Prospect Corridor, a key area of the city challenged by violence and poverty.

Addressing Barriers To Successful Reentry

Reintegrating into the community after incarceration presents numerous challenges. Participants often face obstacles such as:

• Criminal history impacting housing and job opportunities
• Employment instability and low educational attainment
• Transportation difficulties
• Unstable housing situations
• Histories of trauma and substance use
• Complex supervision requirements

The Second Chance program adopts a risk-need-responsivity approach, tailoring services to address these challenges. It focuses especially on residents of inner-city neighborhoods experiencing high levels of violence and economic hardship.

Proven Results & Reduced Recidivism

Since its launch, the Second Chance program has demonstrated remarkable outcomes. Only three participants have returned to incarceration—a recidivism rate of less than 2%. This compares favorably to Missouri’s overall recidivism rate, which has recently declined from 54% in 2014 to 35% in 2023, reflecting improvements in evidence-based reentry practices.

Despite Missouri’s progress, it still ranks 13th nationally for recidivism rates, underscoring the ongoing need for programs like Second Chance that effectively support formerly incarcerated individuals.

The Impact Of Poverty & Inequity

The neighborhoods served by the program are among Kansas City’s most economically disadvantaged, with persistent racial and income disparities driving violence and instability.

For example, the Prospect Corridor and surrounding areas have:

• Median household incomes far below the metropolitan average ($23,500 vs. $65,000 in Jackson County)
• High poverty rates concentrated in minority communities
• Unemployment rates (around 4.8%) exceeding the state average (3.5%)
• Food deserts and limited access to social services

These conditions are closely linked to violence and crime, making economic opportunity and stability critical components of violence reduction efforts.

Economic & Social Barriers For Returning Citizens

Formerly incarcerated individuals face particularly steep hurdles, including unemployment rates between 35-38%—significantly higher than the general population. Limited access to affordable housing and public transportation compounds these challenges.

Research shows that systemic issues like income inequality and lack of economic opportunity strongly correlate with firearm violence and interpersonal crime. The Second Chance program’s focus on employment and case management directly addresses these root causes.

Comprehensive Services For Lasting Change

The program provides a range of coordinated supports:

• Cognitive intervention groups help participants develop positive thinking and decision-making skills.
• Employment services assist with job search, skill development, and securing stable employment.
• Direct service supports address immediate needs such as housing, transportation, and healthcare.
• Coordination of supervision requirements ensures compliance with legal obligations while supporting personal growth.

Together, these services help reduce the risk of reoffending, foster economic independence, and improve quality of life for participants and their families.

Supporting Community Safety & Well-Being

By reducing recidivism and providing meaningful opportunities for economic stability, the Second Chance program contributes to the overall safety and health of Kansas City’s communities. Participants who secure employment and housing are less likely to return to criminal behavior, creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.

Moreover, the program’s collaboration with violence prevention organizations ensures that support extends beyond individuals to address broader community challenges linked to systemic inequities.

The Path Forward

Ongoing funding and partnership support remain vital to expanding the program’s reach and impact. As Kansas City continues to address violent crime and economic disparities, programs like Second Chance demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated, community-based reentry services.

By helping individuals overcome barriers and build stable lives, the program supports not only personal transformation but also the long-term resilience and prosperity of the city.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.