Missouri Reentry… It’s a Process!

1. Missouri Reentry…It’s a Process! George A. Lombardi, Director Missouri Department of Corrections

2. Missouri’s Early Challenges • Prison population growth was exceeding resources available. • Growth of prison population at 3 1/3 offenders per day • Duplication of effort by state agencies • Assessment tools • Treatment • Services • Severe budget shortfalls • No additional prison construction planned • Little coordination as offenders pass through the system.

3. The Opportunity... • In 2002, Missouri was one of the first two states chosen by NIC as a demonstration for the Transition from Prison to Community (TPC) model. • TPC model provided the framework for the Missouri Reentry Process. • Focus on working with “stakeholder agencies” to promote • Common interests • Integrate policies & services • Improve the overall transition process

4. TheMissouri Reentry Process • We did not develop a new “program” we changed Departmental Philosophy... • Prioritizes collaborative relationships with stakeholder agencies. • Prioritizes providing staff needed tools and training. • Includes all activities and programming conducted to prepare offenders for community success. • Focuses not only on structure but on offender accountability for progress and actions. • Focuses on release preparation and continuity of care into the community.

5. Leadership from the Top • Commitment from the Governor – Executive Order • Commitment from the Department of Corrections • Commitment from key Cabinet members • Active participation • Sharing of information • Willingness to truly collaborate • Commitment from staff in all departments involved in the initiative • Commitment from National Institute of Corrections • Advice and technical assistance

6. Missouri Reentry Process State Steering Team • Convened by Executive Order of the Governor and formally chartered. • Representatives include 10 State Agencies, community organizations representing crime victims, law enforcement, treatment providers, the faith based community, etc. • Focus on identifying: • Strengths and Gaps in reentry services at the state level • Strategies to improve reentry

7. MRP State Steering Team • The first major task of this team was to analyze baseline data to identify what correlated to a successful transition to guide state and local efforts: - Education - Employment - Family / Social - Information Sharing - Substance Abuse - Mental Health - Housing - Transportation

8. Missouri Reentry Process Local Steering Teams • Representatives from state and local government agencies, community organizations representing crime victims, law enforcement, treatment providers, the faith based community, etc. • Formally Chartered • Focus on identifying: • Strengths and Gaps in reentry services at the state level • Strategies to improve reentry

9. How MRP Works • Start planning for release the first day of incarceration. • Identify assets and liabilities, utilize assessment tools and design a plan of programming during the offenders incarceration. (Institutional Phase) • Approximately 6 months short of the established release date the offender will move into a Transition Housing Unit where intense pre-release planning will begin. (Transition Phase) • The goal is to have services and community involvement established prior to release.

10. How MRP Works • The offender is released into the community for continued supervision and support by Probation and Parole and the community. • The goal is to have services and community involvement established prior to release. • The offender is released into the community for continued supervision and support. (Community Phase) • Aftercare connections into the community – pro-social support, strong family ties, therapeutic community

11. What Has Changed? Selected Highlights

12. Changes in Approach at DOC • MRP Leadership Team • Formally chartered. • Focuson facilitating the incorporation of reentry principles department-wide in DOC. • Sponsored by the Deputy Department Director; chaired by the Reentry Manager who is a part of the Office of the Director • Upper-level executive or administrative staff from each division.

13. Integrated Case Management • Development of Integrated Case Management Approach • Training for Staff • Evidence Based Practices • Case Management • Cognitive Skills / Pathway to Change • Motivational Interviewing • Transitional Accountability Planning

14. AS A RESULT OF MRP… (Evidence-Based, Integrated, System Wide) Case Management Model IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY OFFENDER SUCCESS CASE PLANNING ON-GOING ASSESSMENT INTERVENTION ASSESSMENT Last Revised: 1-9-08

15. Changes in Approach at DOC • Transitional Housing Units • Focus on Intensive Pre-Release Services • Offenders moved to THUs approximately 6 months pre-release • Minimum and Medium Institutions • Reentry Services also occur in higher security level institutions; the smaller number of releases having a dedicated unit is impractical.

16. Key Partnership Efforts • Pre-Release State Identification Cards • Pre-Release Birth Certificates • (In State and Out of State) • Pre-Release Social Security Cards • Pre-Release Medicaid Application • In-Reach from Veterans Administration and Veterans Commission • In-Reach from Division of Workforce Development • Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Program

17. Changes in Approach at DOC • E-Driven Supervision • It is Evaluation towards Excellence and Effectiveness through the application of Evidence-based practices. The model is Extant, yet Evolving. • Strengthened approach to field supervision that: • Promotes Accountability while changing how officers assess and address risk/need. • Better guidance and more flexibility in caseload management.

18. Changes in Approach at DOC Development of Transitional Accountability Plan Implementation of Pathway to Change System-Wide Award Community Reentry Contracts to support reentry efforts at the local level.

19. The Missouri Reentry Process is still a “Change in Process” • Organizational priorities • Organizational practices • Organizational culture • Change in the lives of offenders, their families and communities.

20. Selected Next Steps • MRP Steering Team • Re-analyzing data and refining collaborative evaluation process. • Further identifying barriers to reentry and recommend system, policy and practice reforms. • MRP Leadership Team • Promotion of quality assurance efforts department wide. • Supporting continued expansion of reentry services in high security institutions. • Expanding the philosophy of THUs throughout medium and minimum institutions.

21. Selected Next Steps • MRP Planning Team • Submitted recommendations to further enhance employment services. • Planning for implementation of the Women’s Risk Need Assessment • Continued expansion of Local MRP Teams throughout Missouri.

22. Impact of MRP on Communities • Across the past 5 years, of offenders released after spending 5 months or more in a THU: • 8% to 10% decrease in recidivism rate. • Offenders receiving transitional services are not committing new crimes or violations at the rate of those not receiving services. • Increased Public Safety • Reduction of victimization • Productive, tax-paying citizens • Healthy, functional families • Safer children • Civic participation • Quality of life

23. Questions?