Transformation through Reentry Courts: A Pathway to Success

1. And They All Come Home

2. Shawshank Redemption http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtwXlIwozog

3. Tippecanoe County Reentry Court • Problems with the current system • History and definition of Problem solving courts • How a Reentry Court Works • The Benefits of a Reentry court

4. Problems with the Current System • “$75-and-a-bus-ticket-home” model • Lack of social support • Insufficient housing • Mental health issues • Poor educational background • Employment problems • High-risk for recidivism

5. Problems (cont.) • Lack of Social Support • 46% have incarcerated relatives • 31% of parents are addicted • Insufficient Housing • 78% are homeless • Mental Health Issues • 50% have mental health issues • 68% rearrested within three years Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics

6. Problems (cont.) • Poor Educational Background • Employment Problems

7. Daily Expenditures • $62.05 per day per inmate nationwide • $22,650 per year per inmate • 2,000,000 inmates in the U.S. • Approx. 25% of incarcerated people in the world are in U.S. Prisons • Annual cost in the U.S. = $45.3 Billion

8. History and Definition of Problem solving courts

9. Miami-Dade, FL Courthouse 1989- site of first U.S. drug court as a response to growing drug problem

10. TYPES OF PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS • Drug Courts • Forensic Diversion Courts • Re-entry Courts • COMMON GOALS • Reduce recidivism • Help offenders become • successful members of • society • Benefit offender and society

11. Tippecanoe County Problem Solving Courts • 1997--State judicial system given control of drug courts • 2003—Adult Drug • Court • Feb, 2005—Forensic • Diversion Court • Oct, 2005—Reentry • Court

12. How The Court Works • The Team • The Tests • The Phases • Sanctions

13. Reentry Court Team • Judge • Prosecutor • Defense Attorney • Law Enforcement Officials • Probation Officer • Housing Coordinator • Faith Based Representative • Learning Through Literature Facilitator • LARA • Purdue Professors and Researchers

14. Level of Service Inventory (Revised) Assessment Test • 54-Question Interview • Explores criminal’s background, drug use, attitude • Results show risk of criminal behavior • Accurately predicts recidivism of participants

15. 4 Phases of Reentry • Phase 1: Engage in Rehabilitative Process • Phase 2: Gain tools for a Constructive Lifestyle • Phase 3: Commit to a Law Abiding Lifestyle • Phase 4: Establish Rightful Place in Society Taken from the Reentry Court Participant Agreement

16. Sanctions and Rewards • System of punishment and rewards within the Reentry Court • Punishment level based on severity of violation • Rewards based on progression through the Reentry Court program

17. The Benefits of Reentry Court • Housing • Employment • Monetary • Recidivism reduction

18. Housing • Housing provided for each participant for 1 year – Weed & Seed Grant • Structure through curfews, attendance at court and meetings • End result: Responsible resident in the community

19. Employment for Reentry Court Participants • “ABC” Job Program • Any Job • Better Job • Career Job

20. Monetary Benefits to Society • Participants pay for: • Drug testing • Court Services • Counseling • Other necessary expenses • $947,409 saved over a twelve-month-period by Allen County Reentry Court • $175,000 contributed to New York by supervised offenders • $2.5 million saved over two years with 440 participants in Multnomah County, Oregon

21. Reasons for Lower Recidivism Rates within Reentry Courts • Live in an apartment in the community • Have jobs in the community • Learn how to budget • Pass frequent drug tests • Get educated about effects of drugs/alcohol • Change in attitude brings change in behavior

22. “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens”- J.R.R. Tolkien