320 likes | 498 Views
Redgranite Correctional Institution. Why is Reentry Significant?. 97% of all inmates return to our communities. Reentry is a crime prevention strategy. Reduces crime… making your community safer. Why is this important?. 96,476 Offenders incarcerated or under supervision of DOC
E N D
Why is Reentry Significant? 97% of all inmates return to our communities
Reentry is a crime prevention strategy. Reduces crime… making your community safer.
Why is this important? • 96,476Offenders incarcerated or under supervision of DOC • 73,256Offenders under DOC community supervision • 22,363Offenders incarcerated in Wisconsin DAI prisons • $29,600Average annual cost of incarceration for each inmate in the Wisconsin adult prison system • 97%Percent of inmateswill one day complete their court-ordered prison time and be released to the community, possibly yours.
Reentry The Department of Correction’s (DOC) philosophy on Reentry is a priority! The DOC mission statement directly ties into reentry initiatives.
The Department of Corrections will protect the public through the constructive management of offenders placed in its charge. • Providing levels of supervision and control consistent with the risk posed by the offender. • Assuring that staff and offenders are safe. • Assuring that staff function professionally, honestly and with integrity. • Being responsive and sensitive to victims, victims' families and a diverse community. • Providing for the humane and respectful treatment of offenders.
Providing opportunities for the development of constructive offender skills and the modification of thought processes related to criminal behavior and victimization. Treating a diverse workforce as valued partners by fostering staff development and effectiveness. • Providing and managing resources to promote wellness and successful offender integration within the community. • Holding offenders accountable for their actions through sanctions, restitution, and restoration. • Developing individualized correctional strategies based on the uniqueness of each offender. • Being accountable to taxpayers through efficient, effective and innovative management of resources. • Educating the public on what we do and how we do it.
RGCI’s Reentry Philosophy and mission provides an opportunity to prepare inmates for success upon re-entry into our communities.
Partnering with the Department of Community Corrections (DCC), outside agencies and other groups, a multi-disciplinary unit team approach provides inmates nearing release with an array of activities and opportunities to increase their chances of obtaining employment, re-establishing family ties, enhancing living skills, preparing them to respond productively in society as well as connecting them with resources and assistance upon release.
Background 10 areas were identified that inmates face upon release from prison. Those areas are: • Wellness • Education • Employment • Family Support • Financial Literacy • Health • Housing • Personal Development • Transportation • Transitional Prep
Background Cont. The goal was to create a comprehensive pre-release curriculum that would allow facilities to provide modules using an open-ended, self paced, self study approach that did not involve an inordinate amount of staff time.
How does this work? THE PRE-RELEASE CURRICULUM IS AN IDENTIFIED A&E PROGRAM NEED ASSIGNED AT DCI. Inmates arriving at DCI with more than one year and less than 10 years to serve will receive a portfolio as they process through intake.
RGCI conducts Reentry orientation for inmates with less than 10 years and more than 1 year remaining on their sentence. Here they receive information on the program, as well as a blue portfolio if they have not already received one.
Program After receiving the portfolio, inmates are encouraged to begin working through the checklist and curriculum. An inmate may receive credit for a competency in an area already addressed in AODA, Anger Management, CGIP, etc… Competencies may also be waived if it is determined not to be relevant for that particular inmate.
How to enroll and get credit? • Reentry modules are offered monthly • Transitional Prep Module (final release preparation) is completed Individually with the Social Worker • The modules, as well as the contacts, are listed in the Rock Report. To sign up for a module or a competency associated with the module, the inmate sends an InformationRequest to the designated facilitator. Priority for module enrollment is determined by release date.
Portfolio Replacements • Inmates are responsible for their portfolios. • Replacement portfolios will be available for purchase.
Curriculum and Competency Checklist The curriculum was designed with • learning objectives • required learning activities • required resource material • required competency checklist
Prerelease Competency Checklist DOC 2363 • The inmate keeps track of their own completions on their checklist (in Portfolio) • Checklist is uploaded on DocNet for each inmate. • Inmate locator; release planning folder • Staff record completions in the computer on the checklist • All DOC & DCC staff can check on inmate’s progress
Wellness • Healthy Leisure Time Activities • Learning Objective • Required Learning Activity (coincides with Checklist) • Required Resource Material • Sexual Education • Basic First Aid • Healthy Lifestyle
Education Module • Secondary Education • Post-secondary Education • Vocational • Apprenticeship • Financial Aid Housing Module • Obtaining Housing • Living on Your Own
Employment Module • Employment Capabilities, Skills and Personal Values • Career Plan • Job-Seeking-JOB NET • Portfolio • Interview Skills • Job Survival • Personal Barriers to Maintaining Employment
Family Support Module • Parenting Education • Family Reunification • Child Support Personal Development Module • Goal setting; conflict resolution; stress mgmt • Victim Impact-awareness of the impact of their crimes/actions • Interpersonal skills
Financial Literacy Module • Financial Institutions • Borrowing Basics • Check It Out • Budgeting • Pay Yourself First • Keep It Safe • To Your Credit • Charge it Right • Loan to Own • Your Own Home • Insurance
Health Module • Physical and Mental Health • Inmate and HSU responsibilities at Release • Obtaining Medical Records after Release • Suicide Prevention • Accessing Health Care • HIPPA Transportation Module • Modes of Transportation • Drivers License
Transitional Prep Module • Portfolio development • Community Reintegration Offender Questionnaire (DOC-2266) • Community Reintegration Case Plan • Release funds • Warrant Check • Medical Needs Planning • Clothing for Release • Food for Release
Release Planning Goals and Objectives: Staff work to assist offenders with the re-entry to their community through: • Individualized release planning with Social Worker, beginning 6 months prior to release • Social Security/ SSI benefits screening at 6 months prior to release • As needed, contacts with the agent for housing, support networks, programming needs, continuity of supervision needs, job issues, relationship concerns, etc… • Birth certificate applications/driver’s license issues
Release Planning Goals/Objectives cont. • Connecting family supports with offender • Facilitating connections with sponsors/community resources • Learning in classroom settings about the many components of successful living • Encouraging visitation/phone calls with family support • Utilizing community speakers to present resources • Opportunities to make positive choices to practice for community living • Support groups to offer a safe place to work through their concerns and stay on the road to success • Resources and Skills training to become self-reliant and better equipped for positive changes
Why is this important TO ME? Inmates will be released to my community and could be my neighbor. A small reflection of one specific type of offender living in your neighborhood:
How could I be involved? Researched evidence shows that the manner in which we communicate and deal with inmates is most important in opening a path for an offender to consider change. If you are responsible for hiring inmates, the new DOC Job Application form has been updated to include emphasis/consideration on the inmate’s progress in the Reentry Program.
We as staff have the power to help the offenders succeed, not only for their benefit, but also for the safety of our families and communities.
If offenders have difficulty finding/keeping jobs, getting food & shelter, and feeling supported, then research has proven that they are more likely to violate probation and/or commit another crime. Their next crime may be against their neighbor— YOU! JOIN THE RE-ENTRY INITIATIVE HELP TO BUILD THE BRIDGE TO SUCCESS