Justice Department Announces Medical Legal Partnership Project for Incarcerated Individuals

The Justice Department announced today the development of a medical-legal partnership (MLP) project for incarcerated individuals to help reduce barriers to reentry and reduce recidivism. The Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) have worked collaboratively to develop this partnership as the next step of a broader civil legal services initiative launched last year. The partnership will connect medical and legal expertise to identify adults in custody (AIC) who require long-term access to post-release critical needs like housing, food security, and more. The project is part of the Department's broader work to strengthen the safety of our communities while advancing thoughtful, evidence-informed initiatives, and reforms throughout the criminal justice system.

"We are pleased to announce the formation of this innovative medical-legal services partnership to promote successful reentry," said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. "Designed jointly by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Office for Access to Justice, this partnership demonstrates how creativity and broad collaboration can work to reduce recidivism, promote success and second chances for returning individuals, and improve public safety. The Justice Department is committed to advancing public safety through more thoughtful approaches to the criminal justice system."

The MLP project will take place at Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan, located in Bryan, Texas. ATJ and FBOP are planning to collaborate on the pilot initiative with Texas A&M School of Law and the Texas A&M Institute for Healthcare Access. All institutions and organizations with relevant expertise are welcome to be considered for future collaboration.

MLPs connect the expertise of lawyers and legal help with the expertise of health care professionals to comprehensively address barriers that intersect across health care and legal needs. Specifically, this MLP will include a team of law and medical professionals who will collaborate to better determine eligibility for, and ensure access to, Social Security disability relief for those who qualify, with the goal of improving long-term access to post-release critical needs and promoting successful reentry. As part of the Department's broader civil legal services initiative, FBOP and ATJ are also working to develop and distribute self-help materials to address civil legal needs of AIC and a series of empowerment workshops for AIC focused on civil legal issues including workshops focused on family law, financial-related issues, and access to public benefits.

"We are delighted to continue partnering with FBOP in developing a first-of-its-kind initiative to disrupt the recidivism cycle, improve justice outcomes, and better expand public safety," said ATJ Director Rachel Rossi. "By bridging partnerships between medical and legal professionals, we can better meet the needs that are exacerbated for those leaving incarceration, ensuring access to food security, healthcare, housing, and more."

"Incarcerated individuals are a particularly vulnerable population when it comes to unmet civil legal needs," said FBOP Director Colette S. Peters. "While the Federal Bureau of Prisons offers critical services, including health care and education, we know the need for civil legal services remains high. Partnering with the Office for Access to Justice has been a fundamental step in breaking down barriers to provide important legal access to adults in custody. We are proud to be piloting this program at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan, Texas. The initial pilot, serving our women in custody, is significant as it will continue to support our gender-responsive, and trauma-informed focus, while addressing the additional barriers women also face."

To highlight April as Second Chance Month, today ATJ and FBOP, with support from JustUs Coordination Council, hosted a Reentry Simulation, a two-hour situational interactive learning opportunity for organizations and federal employees from various agencies to experience the challenges and barriers faced by justice-impacted people in obtaining employment, government benefits, housing, transportation, and educational opportunities. Through discussions with system-impacted subject matter experts, this experience aimed to give insight and encourage continued collaboration across government to reduce these barriers. Justice Department leadership, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, ATJ Director Rachel Rossi, and FBOP Director Colette S. Peters provided remarks during the simulation. Previously, ATJ hosted a Reentry Simulation for high-level Justice Department and other agency officials for Second Chance Month in April 2022.