Family Support Program for Ex-Offenders (“FSP”) Presentation l Introduction and Rationale l Presentation by Clients l Program Description and Lessons Learned To Date l Panel Available for Questions

Introduction and Rationale l Identification of the problem l FSP’s approach to addressing the problem l Overview of the agency l Overview of areas of innovation

Problem: Recidivism l A significant problem with crime is the high level of repeat offenders (recidivism) l Most studies throughout the U.S. report that 50%+ of offenders will commit another crime l In Texas, 60% of offenders were already either on probation or parole

Statement of the Problem l Recidivism rates have spurred the need for a new approach l Parolees leaving TDCJ return to the same families and communities which supported their initial deviance – families are generally poor with few resources for support – the community contains no healthy network to support a non-deviant lifestyle l TDCJ is the social security system for poor minorities

Recidivism Rates in Texas

Problem: Coming Home l Most ex-offenders return to families and communities unprepared to deal with them l Most offenders continue to have some of the problems that contributed to the original offense – Drug and alcohol abuse – Inadequate education – Minimal employment experience – Health problems l The typical offender is not welcome at most agencies or with most employers

Comparison of TDCJ Inmates with Texas Population l High minority percentage l Young, male inmates are most common l Education level is very low l Likely to be unmarried, often has at least one child

Comparison of Ethnicity

Comparison of Gender

Educational Achievement of TDCJ Population

Our Innovation Question What is Needed to Deal Effectively With Offenders Once They Are Released?

Approach We Know One Thing For Sure We Know One Thing For Sure About Preventing Crime

Strong Communities and Strong Families Are Deterents to Crime l Provide appropriate norms and role models l Assure vigilance and social controls l Act swiftly when deviance occurs

Overview: Key Players in the Innovation Process l the University of Texas at Austin l the Institutional Division of the Department of Criminal Justice l the Pardons and Paroles Division of the Department of Criminal Justice l the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice.

Overview: Organizational Goals of FSP l Develop tools to strengthen communities and families to deal positively with ex-offenders. l Create a strategy of collaboration among key players in the innovation process. l Increase the pool of trained professionals to work with ex-offenders and their families.

FSP Works to Build Strong Communities and Families Through Innovation l Developing data on needs of families of ex- offenders. l Creating techniques to mobilize services in the community to work with families and ex- offenders. l Testing new strategies to work with agencies and families to lessen recidivism.

Addressing the Problem l FSP seeks to develop a healthy community network to overcome deviant influences l Drug-related and non-violent offenders are primary target l Referrals to community agencies are primary tool

Promoting Community- based Services in Texas By: l Identifying service needs of families and ex- offenders. l Mobilizing community services. l Developing linkages - make certain referrals happen and succeed.

Innovation: What We Have Learned To Date l Working with families l Working with the ex-offenders l Working with community agencies l Working with our partners in innovation

Working With Our Partners in Innovation l The “Criminal Justice System” is fragmented l Gaps between entities can be bridged. Cooperation has been remarkable l University departments can play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration l Evaluation is an effective role for the University (to minimize impact of vested interests)

Advisory Committee for FSP l T. J. Gizelbach – Governor's Office, Criminal Justice Division l Carl Jeffries, Bonnie Swain, Armando Ayala – Institutional Division – Texas Department of Criminal Justice l Cecil Simpson, H. B. Skelton, Janet Sorenson – Board of Pardons and Paroles – Texas Department of Criminal Justice l Mike Eisenberg – Criminal Justice Policy Council l A. James Schwab, Michael Lauderdale, Kathy Selber, Dennis Nelson, Toni Johnson, Pam Durst – School of Social Work – University of Texas at Austin

Family Support Program for Ex-Offenders l Introduction and Rationale l Presentation by Clients l Program Description and Lessons Learned To Date l Panel Available for Questions