PROJECT SUCCESS

1. PROJECT SUCCESS Women Healing Women

2. What is Project Success? An innovative six to nine month in-jail drug treatment program to address gender-specific needs of substance abusing females.

3. What is RSAT? Residential Substance Abuse Treatment

4. Application for the Grant? Sub-grant Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Implementing Agency: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

5. How the program is funded Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Criminal Justice Grants funds $150,000 in addition to $100,000 provided by PCSO. Operating costs $250,000 total per year

6. Why the Female Population? • The last decade has seen a surge in both the number and proportion of incarcerated women in the United States. • The number of women in prisons and jails is growing at a faster rate than the number of men [1]. • At mid-year 1997, women accounted for 6.4% of all prisoners nationwide, up from 4.1% in 1980 and 5.7% in 1990 [2]. • At the Pinellas County Jail, the average daily population of adult female inmates represents 13.2% -- More than twice the national average

7. Gender Specific Needs • Incarcerated women’s needs differ from men due in part to… • Women’s disproportionate victimization from sexual or physical abuse. • Responsibility for children. • Women offenders being more likely to become addicted to drugs, have mental illnesses, and to have been unemployed prior to incarceration [3]. Notes: 1. Mumola, Christopher J., and Allen J. beck, Prisoners in 1996, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997 2. Gilliard, Darrell K., and Allen J. Beck, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 1997, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1998 3. Morash, Merry, Timothy S. Bynum, and Barbara A. Koons, Women Offenders: Programming Needs and Promising Approaches, Research in Brief, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 1998

8. Program Staff Operation PAR, Inc. Clinical Supervisor 2 Counselors Discharge Planning Coordinator Dixie Hollins Adult Education Center Instructor Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Program Administrator Detention and Corrections Personnel

9. Program Philosophy Modified Therapeutic Community Model MTC The MTC approach to substance abuse treatment is a psychosocial, experiential learning process that utilizes the concept of positive peer influence within a highly structured social environment. The Therapeutic Community is modified in Project Success to adjust itself to work within the confines of a jail facility.

10. Program Culture The culture is defined by a mutual self-help attitude where community members confront negative attitudes and behaviors to establish an open, trusting and safe environment where personal disclosure is encouraged and the prison culture is rejected (“A” Barrack Mentality). Participants and Staff work together in a social community with governing principles called concepts.

11. Program Structure Within the program structure, treatment and educational activities provide the opportunity for self-examination and awareness, skill building, behavioral practice, teaching/learning and lifestyle change.

12. The combination of the MTC environment and the treatment structure allows participants to honestly struggle with problem areas, while at the same time, supporting each person’s best effort in daily living.

13. Guiding Principles of Project Success Participants inside the MTC • Every Participant is considered to be a person of worth and value. • No one can be forced to change. Participants must want to change. • Change comes as a result of action. Passivity and idleness will accomplish nothing. • Effective change for the Participants must involve the re-structuring of their world view. • The movement toward change is possible for anyone at any time with no prerequisite beyond the sincere desire to change.

14. Phases of Learning Intervention Project Success participants will work through a four-level system as they progress in the community structure. As participants become more acquainted and responsive to their expectations within the program, they will be able to obtain permission from the community to advance to the next level status.

15. Orientation – 2 weeks This phase includes orientation to the MTC. The participant learns what to expect and what is expected of her while she is a part of the community. The Project Success orientation video tape is shown at this time.

16. Level One – 4 weeks The participant will learn the concepts that will guide her through the MTC experience.

17. Level Two – 6 weeks This point of the program is generally referred to as the “feeling phase.” The women begin to address the underlying reasons why they used drugs and alcohol as a coping response and self-medication to mask the pain of a previous trauma. Addiction = Denial Sobriety = Truth

18. Level Three – 6 weeks Program participants are enmeshed with classes and groups and their days are highly structured. They continue to update their treatment plan along the way.

19. Level Four – 4 weeks Participants begin working with the Discharge Planning Coordinator to prepare for re-entry into the community.

20. Level Four – 4 weeks At this level, the women are allowed to go out on re-integration appointments for driver’s licenses, state I.D.’s, and etc. They are also able to participate in the monthly “Lessons Learned” ceremony and attend PNA graduations.

21. Level Four – 4 weeks Able to make general announcements to the community. Generally seen as role models in the unit.

22. Final Phase -- Aftercare The final phase of treatment includes 12 months of aftercare linkages to social services for proper re-entry into the community. This may include transitional housing or having to participate in another treatment program for continued care. Case management provided by Project Impact w/Operation PAR, Inc.

23. Weekly Summary of Participation • Client’s overall attitude and behavior: Positive Neutral Resistant Negative • Client’s participation in small group: Positive Neutral Resistant Negative • Client’s participation in the community: Positive Neutral Resistant Negative • No. of interventions client received from Detention Staff: _____ • Client completed all homework assignments: Yes/No/NA 6. Quality of completed homework: Acceptable/Unacceptable

24. Program Goals & Objectives Project Success’ overarching goal is to reduce the substance abuse relapse and re-incarceration of project Participants by providing: • Individual and group counseling • Individualized treatment plans • Case management • Preparation for re-entry into the community • Life and job skills training

25. The Program provides a combination of the following classes and groups: Errors in Criminal Thinking PAR Groups Relapse Prevention Clinical Pharmacology Self-esteem/Empowerment Stress and Anger Management Resume and essay writing Art Movement Therapy GED and Computer Literacy Rational Emotional Therapy Money Management 12 Step Programs (AA/NA/CA) HIV Education Parenting PTEC Domestic Violence Education Seeking Safety Graduate Teachbacks Guest Speakers Peer Support Bible Study Structured Leisure Activities Seeking Safety Classes/Groups Offered

26. No talking during groups unless asked to by the teacher. Cannot leave the group to go to the restroom unless it is an emergency. Cannot skip groups: more than 3 absences will result in having to re-take the class. Cannot arrive late: two late arrivals will result in a write-up. Keep hands to yourself. Respectful of the teacher and others in the group. Focus on learning. Be involved. No eating. No visitation during group unless prearranged. While in classes or groups

27. Giving & Receiving Concerns • Not following and obeying the rules preceded the participants’ incarceration. • Starting to respect others and accepting the rules begins the process of becoming aware of their present behaviors. • Receiving concerns is normal and often occurs in the first few months of the program.

28. Why Concerns are given • Calling a participant on her ill conduct reinforces the fact that it is an unacceptable behavior in the community. • Advising a participant she acted against the rules allows individuals to speak their minds – to become assertive – and not allow things to happen that they know are wrong.

29. Concerns about Talking • Use Library Language: this means keep the volume down. • Do not use profanity. • No one is to talk on the stairs or from upstairs to downstairs. • No talking in groups or classes. • No gossiping about others. • Forget about the “good old days” and no glamorizing of old drug life. • Keep confidential what is said in groups or classes. • Do not share information on telephones, during visits, in letters, or in the community.

30. In this program and in Central Division you are not to share food from your tray or your commissary. You may not ask others for their food. No food from your trays or drinks are to be in the carpeted areas or in your room. Respect at the microwave (clean it out after using). Concerns about Food

31. Concerns and Self-Monitoring • Participants no longer give one another essays as a consequence to a concern. It’s no longer seen as punitive in the community. • Participants monitor their own behavior and give one another concerns out of caring and assistance to their fellow sisters in recovery. • Detention Staff maintains the ability to give work assignments to Participants as a consequence per their discretion. • Detention and Clinical Staff continue to have authority to issue essays to Participants.

32. What does the essay have to include? • Why is this a rule? • Why is it important that I follow that rule? • How can this behavior affect my recovery? • How does this behavior contribute to any possible relapse? • How might this behavior disrupt the community?

33. Write-ups from Detention Staff • Detention Staff can give a write-up for behavior and non-compliance. • For Levels One, Two or Three: • More than 3 write-ups during 30 days will result in a behavioral contract • Participant may be sent back to previous level for two weeks • For Level Four: • You will remain in the program an additional two weeks. • A letter could be sent to the Judge.

34. Items on top of bunk or messy bunks Sharing food off your tray or giving away commissary Being disrespectful to a Detention Deputy Being upstairs when you live downstairs Being on the phone when you’re not allowed Being in someone else’s room Wearing only pajamas out of your room Loudness or causing a disruption Not getting up for breakfast or not eating a meal (for Orientation, Level One, and Level Two). Feet in chairs Tied bed sheets Items left out after 9:30 pm Going into the visitation room when you don’t have a visitor Concerns for Detention Staff resulting in a concern, consequence or write-up: • Disobeying of these rules and any others may • result in a verbal reprimand or work detail by • Detention Staff depending on the amount of times • the rule is broken and the discretion of the • Detention Deputy on duty.

35. Detention Staff involvement • Safety and Security • Consistency/Structure • Reinforce the rules of PCJ/Central Division/Project Success • Discipline

36. Orientation Members assign Big Sisters to new participants; type names for folders; give out orientation manual, Big Sister packet, and Central & P.S. rules. Computer Assist fellow participants with computer; and monitors usage and sign-in sheet. Program Committees

37. Facilities Chairperson schedules wrap up; facilitates morning meeting; supply paperwork; and passes out weekly schedules. Education Schedules teachbacks to the community; produces book reports; and tutors others when needed. Committees cont.

38. Recreation Operates VCR/DVD in unit; distributes art supplies; keeps games in order; schedules volleyball/basketball/tourney games. Has access to storage cabinet. Affirmation Read and write positive affirmations at every morning meeting; and write inspirational sayings on the community board. Committees cont.

39. Events Records graduations & milestones in the community and creates birthday cards for participants. Steering Reviews entire program for efficacy; looks at how participants are oriented; and gives feedback on the direction of the program. Committees cont.

40. Expectations Although Staff may have expectations of the women in the program, we must take into consideration they are human and will make mistakes. Sometimes these expectations may be too great. Participants should be encouraged to problem solve among themselves as a means of teaching them responsibility. Utilize Level Fours in the community.

41. About Project Success • Began Accepting Women: July 2001 • First Graduating Class: January 2002 • Current Number of Program Participants: 53

42. About Project Success • Total Number of Graduates as of June 2004: *** • Outcomes 71% remained drug free 59% remained arrest free

43. Ramona Jubar MerrittProgram AdministratorProject Success phone: 727-453-7183 fax: 727-453-7223rmerritt@pcsonet.comi.”This presentation was prepared for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, James T. Moore, Commissioner, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.” June 2001ii.“This program is supported by a grant awarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida, and by the Bureau of Justice Assistance(BJA), Office of Justice Programs(OJP), U.S. Department of Justice. The BJA is a component of OJP which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.”iii.“Points of view, opinions, and conclusions expressed in this presentation are those of the recipient and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, or any other agency of the state of federal government.