Reentry Coalition The How “To’s” Angela Lee, Administrator of Reentry Services, DRC

Overview Why Reentry? Second Chance Act and Funding Reasons How and where do we start? Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition Local Coalitions Statewide Efforts

Why Reentry? According to a 2006 national opinion survey (8:1) indicates that the public supports services for offenders (Krisberg & Marchionna) As of September 2010 there are 51,012 incarcerated DRC offenders –Capacity is 38,665 –Pew Report (2009) 1:25 –Costly: $1.8B FY2009 »The Pew Center on the States

Research Supports Reentry Efforts National Institute of Corrections Survey: 61% of people believe CJ professionals should base decision making on research Punishment driven approaches alone are not effective. Reentry increases public safety

Reasons for Reentry F4 & F5 felonies comprise 57.3% of commitments to prison The national average cost of confining an offender is $22,000 but in Ohio-$24, Of those offenders admitted, 48% serve less than one year

Offender Characteristics –Average age 36 years old –58% had minor children, 23% married –74% were black, 18% white –72% reported drug use –57% found job post release through family/friends –Only 37% were working full-time post release –80% had debts –60% had someone meet them upon release –80% relied on family for housing »Urban Institute, Returning Home Study

Family Characteristics –64% had a criminal history or substance abuse problem –66% provided financial support to release offender –21% were a former prisoner –16% of those providing housing to released offender had a substance abuse problem Urban Institute, Returning Home Study

Second Chance Act Signed April 2008 by President Bush Federal Appropriations for Prisoner Reentry Establishment of a Reentry Task Force

Funding Categories –State/Local Reentry Demonstration Projects –Residential Substance Abuse Treatment –Career Training Program –State and Local Reentry Courts –Family-Based Substance Abuse Treatment –Mentoring Grants to Nonprofits –Reintegration to Ex- Offenders –Mental Health Treatment

How do we start??? Identify key stakeholders Answer the questions, “Why” Look at current costs-where does your money go? What are your needs? Keep it simple Patience is a virtue and change is slow Identify Barriers and efforts should be EBP.

Investing in Human Social Capital … Leadership & Organizational Change Rational Planning Process Management Collaboration Safer Communities Means a Safer Community

State Efforts House Bill 130 Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition Collaboration with state and local stakeholders; Provide analysis and identification of regulatory and statutory hurdles through Annual Report. Council of State Government Recommendations National Institute of Justice-Learning Laboratory

Reentry Initiatives Reentry Center Ohio Benefit Bank ARRA Grantees RSC Grants State and Local Partnerships Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) Second Chance Act Grant Programs Voting Rights Institute

Target Audience is ex-offenders, their families, legislators, and community.

Local Coalitions

Local Information

Questions