Safe Return Project September

 Safe Return Team – community research and organizing by formerly incarcerated Richmond residents  Sponsoring Organizations  Pacific Institute: research training and coordination  CCISCO: community organizing and leadership development  Office of Neighborhood Safety: violence prevention strategies and training

Formerly incarcerated people in Richmond:  Are respected and welcomed  Are productive and employed  Are giving back and restoring community  Have healthy and safe living situations  Have strong and connected families  Recidivism is low and crime is rare

 Over 500 one to one conversations with Richmond residents  Designed and carried out a scientific survey of recently returned individuals  Participated in the Greater Richmond Community Reintegration Collaborative  Developed and are helping implement critical changes to policy and programs.

 Adapted survey instrument from “Returning Home” studies  Surveys conducted at Richmond Parole and Probation offices, and the New Hope program.  Respondent must be:  Released 3-18 months ago  At least 18 years old  Has a felony and is on probation or parole  101 surveys completed

 Majority received support from family, including: emotional, job advice and info, transportation, and financial assistance.  54% received helpful information from probation or parole officers, 46% did not.  Nearly half had no health coverage. 70% said they had wanted to see a doctor but did not because of the cost.

 One-stop center with up-to- date information on services  Remove barriers to employment: ban the box  Establish a supportive housing program  Leadership and mutual support among the formerly incarcerated

Safe Return Team:  Tamisha Walker  Andres Abarra  LaVern Vaughn  Orlena Foy  Jeff Rutland Sponsoring Organizations and Contacts:  Pacific Institute Eli Moore  CCISCO Richard Boyd  Office of Neighborhood Safety Sam Vaughn us at: