Release and Reintegration Services Minnesota Department of Corrections Jolene Rebertus, MA, LPC Phoua Vang, MA Jim Myhre, LADC Release and Reintegration Specialists

Release Planning in Behavioral Health Approach Prevention through planning and action MN DOC Release Planners SPMI SO CD Medical TBI

SPMI Release Planning Function as a mental health practitioner Assess and review client management needs Create individualized discharge plan aimed at successful integration into the community

Introduction Significant increase in awareness of number of mentally ill offenders in prison population Results in homelessness, unemployment, hospitalizations, subjection to abuse and exploitation, alcohol and drug dependence

Introduction 2002, MN State Legislature passed law requiring mental health release planning for all SPMI offenders Community mental health services preplanned prior to release

Importance of Mental Health Release Planning Services Enhance community safety Reduce recidivism Meet state legislatively mandated laws Provide advanced notification to community social service agencies

Importance of Mental Health Release Planning Services To ensure offender access to state, county, and federal health care Transition mental health services from prison to community Medically based treatment that supports court’s objectives and conditions for release Best possible aftercare for SPMI offenders

Definition of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) A person has diagnosis of: Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Schizoaffective Disorder

How to identify? Past records Offender interview Pre-sentence investigations Clinical records Case notes Police reports Offender interview Have you ever been hospitalized? Have you seen a counselor or therapist? Do you have a mental health diagnosis? Medications?

Mental Health Release Plan Begin working with offender 120 days prior to release Voluntary Service Limits of Confidentiality Assessment of need completed Obtain emergency contact, recreational activities, etc.

Mental Health Release Plan County Mental Health Case Management Rule 79 Assessment Each county has their own rule 79 assessment Certifies a person with a serious and persistent mental illness County involvement important in order to assist with connecting offender to community mental health resources Day tx. MI/CD groups Vocational programming Housing Funds

Mental Health Release Plan ARMHS-Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services Medical Assistance required Intensive Community services that focus on offender’s mental health stability in community

Mental Health Release Plan MN Department of Economic Assistance GAMC (expired 02/28/11) MN Care MA Expansion (March 2011) SMRT Food Stamps Personal Needs Money

Mental Health Release Plan Financial Benefits-Social Security Multi-stage process Referral phone call to SSA representative at 120 days SSI phone interview with offender in prison Completion of important paperwork Possible psychiatric evaluation SSI provide a means of support to pay for housing, food, and increase the offender’s health insurance coverage

Mental Health Release Plan Housing Placement SPMI release planner involved in order to find appropriate housing Rule 25 assessment for MI/CD programming Collaboration with various providers Community agencies Case manager Housing manager Economic Assistance DOC case manager Field agent

Mental Health Release Plan Community appointments Outpatient Psychiatry-medication monitoring Outpatient Psychology-primary therapist Community Treatment Program Sex offender MI/CD DBT Day treatment

Mental Health Release Plan Prevention Plan Reviewed and processed with the offender To improve his/her cognitive thinking skills Build self-confidence in managing their mental health in the community

Sex Offender Release Plan Philosophy Release planning starts at program admission Re-entry services is provided in an inside-out manner Community resources are brought into the institution Interagency collaboration establish pre-release

Sex Offender Release Plan Release Planners in SOTP: Educate and motivate offenders in assessment phase Assess and review continuum of care needs Act as a resource Ensure safe continuum of care plan

SOTP Transitions 4 - 6 months prior to release 1.5 hours, 4 days per week for 12 weeks

SOTP Transitions Guest speakers & Topics Community notification & registration Supervision Civil comm. procedures Housing resources and program expectations Vocational Parenting, visitation & family reunification Outpatient treatment Support groups Credit counseling & child support

SOTP Transitions Support Person Education Sessions Members of offenders support network Family, friends, sponsors, mentors, pastors Held in institution visiting area during non-visiting days Large group discussion (all offenders and guests) Small group discussion (therapist, offender & his guests)

Sex Offender Release Planning Release Planning Session Supervising Agent SOTP therapy staff DOC Case Manager Community support people Discuss tx. progress and concerns Review and modify release plan Goals and rec. for release Rules & regulations of release

Sex Offender Release Plan Offender Participates in putting the plan together Directed by housing placement Identify resources: Assistance needs (medical, financial, etc.) Continuing treatment resources Support groups Leisure, education, community involvment

Sex Offender Release Plan OBSTACLES Limited resources for residency Delays in civil commitment determination Lack of healthy support resources Limited funds Lack of transportation

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Basic Approach Actively work toward creating a community release plan by identifying supportive services, and utilizing all available resources offered by the Department of Corrections

Prioritizing CD Services HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW CD assessment DWI offense LSI Score MNSOST-r Score Assault, harm, weapon Mental health TBI Developmental Disability

Chemical Dependency Release plan Release Planning Clientele Offenders participating in CD programs Offenders releasing directly into the community 6 months prior to release

Other Planning Strategies Early Release Programs ICWC Work Release Minimum Security Offenders in the General Population Courtesy Rule 25’s

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Multi-disciplined Approach Offender involvement Assess and review client management needs Case managers Supervising agents LSI domains CD Comprehensive Assessment Staff review and consult County input – Rule 25 Create individualized discharge plan aimed at successful reintegration into the community

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Addressing Other Needs Sober housing Medical Mental health Employment Family and community support system Personal needs Leisure and recreation Lois – Sober housing, county social services

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Integration of Community Services County Human Services Social Services Re-Entry Service Agencies CORP – Duluth Wilder Foundation – St. Paul HIRE – Minneapolis Workforce Centers Easter Seals – Twin Cities, Rochester, Wilmar Central MN Re-Entry Project – St. Cloud & Central MN

Summary and Key Points Frequent communication with various parties Within Department of Corrections Community agencies Field agents