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Prisoner Reentry and Homelessness

Prisoner Reentry and Homelessness. Denise Biron Julie Chavez Dara Robichaux. Introductions. Who are we? Denise Biron, Psy.D., Norfolk Department of Human Services, Julie Chavez, PO Senior at Norfolk Probation/Parole, Dara Robichaux, Assistant Warden at Indian Creek Who are you?

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Prisoner Reentry and Homelessness

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  1. Prisoner Reentry and Homelessness Denise Biron Julie Chavez Dara Robichaux

  2. Introductions • Who are we? Denise Biron, Psy.D., Norfolk Department of Human Services, Julie Chavez, PO Senior at Norfolk Probation/Parole, Dara Robichaux, Assistant Warden at Indian Creek • Who are you? • Who are we talking about? • What are the needs? • How about solutions?

  3. Point in Time Richmond 2011 • A total of 943 adults and 159 children were counted, • 502 individuals who indicated that they had spent time in jail or prison • 87.2% of ex-offenders are males, 12.8% are females. • Most are single, never married adults (54.6%), and • 45.4% have been in families 5.4% of ex-offenders have children living with them. • A majority of ex-offenders report that they are African-American (58.7%), followed by White (35.0%). • 3.3% indicated that they are Hispanic. • Average age for adult ex-offenders is 44.2 years. • 54.0% have only a high school education or GED. 20.7% attended some college, and 8.0% have a college degree or higher. • 17.7% are veterans.

  4. More from Richmond • A majority of ex-offenders have served time in jail (60.8%). 3.4% indicated that they served time in prison, and 35.9% reported that they had served time in both jail and prison • 57.9% reported having felony convictions. 33.3% reported being homeless before incarceration, and 50.3% indicated that they were homeless upon release • 32.7% experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Of those experiencing domestic violence, 32.9% had experienced it in the past year. • 56.2% report having a problem with alcohol sometime in their lifetime • 75.5% are currently in recovery. • 59.3% report having a problem with substance abuse sometime in their lifetime. • 75.5% are currently in recovery. • 33.5% report having a mental health problem sometime in their lifetime • 50.9% are currently being treated and • 44.6% are taking medication for mental health problem.

  5. Richmond… • 54.2% report having a long-term disability • 63.6% indicated that their disability was drug or alcohol abuse • 67.2% indicated that their disability was a mental illness • 66.0% indicated that their disability was physical • 18.8% are employed • 44.3% work full-time • 30.7% work part-time, and • 25.0% do day labor or temp work • In the past three years, most homeless ex-offenders have been homeless once (57.6%) or twice • (21.9%); 20.5% have been homeless three or more times during this time period. • A little less than half (49.8%) of ex-offenders have been homeless for 5 months or less

  6. Norfolk Reentry Council • Originally started as a pilot in 2006 with NDHS and Probation and Parole • Council began meeting in 2007 • Current structure includes co-facilitation model with NDHS and P & P • Employment committee • Faith Based and Community Initiatives

  7. Norfolk Reentry Council • Bimonthly meetings • Now one of 9 councils in the Hampton Roads region • Community focus, collaborative approach • Pre-release planning, reentry and reintegration • Human Services and Public Safety

  8. Probationers •  Clients always need: • Housing – including those that take SSI and felons • Transportation • Clothing • Employment • Clients also need: • Fast Track MH/SA treatment • Medical/Dental/Substance Abuse and Mental Health access • Prescription assistance for psychotropic  meds • Some clients are unable to get on a bus by themselves, much less participate in groups or remember when their  appointments are & unless they have a supportive family, they eventually violate despite our efforts to work with them

  9. Probationers • Sometimes people are released from maximum security prisons (spending the majority of their time in segregation) who have been very ill prepared for society, no re-entry programs were offered to them.

  10. Reentry Behind the Walls • Intensive Reentry Centers • Resource Rooms • Resource Fairs • Community Collaboration

  11. Reentry Behind the Walls • VARI – Virginia Adult Reentry Initiative • Available at www.vadoc.virginia.gov • Starts at the time of incarceration • Memorandum with Social Security to “fast track” applications • Policy regarding birth certificates and social security cards

  12. Resources • http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/139/exoffenders.html • http://www.homewardva.org/sftp-homeward/January%202011%20exoffender%20snapshot%20FINAL%20031111%20MEA.pdf • www.vadoc.virginia.gov

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