The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

October 30, 2012

Funding secured for Second Chance Act inmate program

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Sheriff Joe Lester announced Monday that he secured funding to keep the Second Chance Act Program (S-CAP) for at least the next six months.

The program gives non-violent offenders a chance to reacclimate into society. Women incarcerated at the Cleveland County Detention Center are eligible to participate.

The organization works with female inmates and helps them with housing and food needs. It also provides employment and counseling services.

Lester introduced S-CAP in 2009. It is sponsored by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and funded through the Second Chance Act grant from the Bureau of Justice.

Lester said the program gives women the help and services needed to turn their lives around and become productive citizens.

“The program was in jeopardy due to the federal S-CAP grant not being renewed and new county budgets not being adequate to continue the program,” he said. “United Way stepped in and helped keep the program moving until funding could be found. I want to thank United Way for helping S-CAP survive.”

S-CAPDirector Rock Richardson and senior program coordinator Beth Jones visit inmates at the county jail several times a week, enrolling them in the program and working with those scheduled to be released.

“S-CAP provides case management services for women so we can provide them transportation, work experience and job placement,” Richardson said. “It has shown to reduce the number of women going back to jail by 70 percent in the county.”

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Moore Tornado Experts say that residents should have emergency preparedness plans

    Though tornado season rolls into Oklahoma year in and year out, unpredictably dangerous twisters catch many who have no emergency plan off-guard, resulting in injuries or death....

    June 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Cole Hopper Defendant found guilty in manslaughter trial

    After only a few hours of deliberating, a Cleveland County jury found Cole Hopper guilty of manslaughter Tuesday afternoon. The jury has recommended a sentence of nine years....

    June 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Council questions NCVB budget

    The Norman City Council wants more details from the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau on how it plans to spend the extra $200,000 in transient guest tax next year. At Tuesday’s study session, council members questioned a lack of ...

    June 19, 2013

  • 10 attorneys remain in running for judge post

    Ten attorneys are vying for the district judge seat being vacated by longtime Cleveland County Judge Tom Lucas, records show....

    June 19, 2013

  • Woman allegedly embezzled $16K

    A Noble woman was charged Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court after allegedly embezzling from a storage unit company in Moore. Tina Sue O’Kelly, 46, allegedly embezzled $16,199.14 from American Self Storage, 1701 Tower Drive. ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Critique club welcomes writers

    Do you have a secret goal of being a writer? Is there a story in your soul, ready to burst forth? You might be surprised to discover more than 90 percent of the population say they have a hidden desire to write book. Fewer than one ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Tornado 1 Norman fire chief says public storm facilities don’t offer adequate protection

    Oklahomans are always going to need a safe place to take cover when severe weather hits, as it so often does during the spring and summer months, but officials have found many problems tied to public shelters....

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • NPS budget anticipates $91M revenue

    The Norman Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2014 budget Monday that exceeds expected revenue by $3.1 million....

    June 18, 2013

  • County approves funding for nonprofit services

    Cleveland County commissioners approved agreements and funding for the Women’s Resource Center for $40,000 and with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for $62,000. Those agencies provide court services, commissioners said....

    June 18, 2013

  • Medical witness says Bransby could not have survived gunshot wound

    Evidence presented Monday during Day 4 of a manslaughter trial in Cleveland County District Court indicates that victim Kelsey Bransby was shot at close range. Bransby, 19, was found unconscious a few hours after being shot in the head on ...

    June 18, 2013