1. Richard F. Allen
Commissioner
Bob Riley
Governor
“Reentry Initiatives in Alabama for Previously Incarcerated Persons (PIPS)”
Presented by:
Elana M. Parker, M.Ed., M.L.A.P.
Reentry Coordinator/Public Health Liaison
AL Dept. of Corrections / AL Dept. of Public Health

2. Goals of Reentry for PIPS:
Decrease the overall prison recidivism rates and overcrowding
Promote public safety for the general community
Reunite parents and children
Decrease public health and social disparities within the offender populations
Offer referral linkages to inmates and ex-offenders transitioning back into the community

3. 2007 Initial Reentry Efforts
Institutional Assessments –
Institutional Meetings with the Warden and Designated Staff Members
Reentry Questionnaires and Assessments with Institutional Wardens, Work Release Wardens, Substance Abuse Counselors, Chaplains, Job Placement Officers, SRP Sergeants, Outside Volunteers and Inmates
Collected data on currently existing pre release programs, transitional services, outside programs and reentry services

4. 2007 Initial Reentry Efforts cont.
State Agency Assessments
Met with 18 Federal and State Government Agencies
Identified agency services, programs and eligibility criteria
Interest and willingness to support reentry efforts
Process for accessing services at regional offices
Established Memorandums of Agreement
Statewide roster of regional offices and contact persons

5. 2007 Initial Reentry Efforts cont.
Community and Faith Based Organizations
Met with a multitude of statewide community agencies and faith based groups
Identified primary and secondary services offered
Assessment of knowledge around correctional operations and in-prison programs
Identified barriers and challenges between Corrections and the Community
Brainstormed solutions for “Bridging the Gap”

6. Nontraditional PIP factors contributing to overcrowding
Preexisting felony warrants and/or misdemeanor detainers
Parolees – unsatisfactory home and job plans
No home plan submitted
Technical Parole Violators
Linkages to external community resources

7. Currently Existing Reentry Efforts within the Department
Supervised Reentry Program (SRP)
Sponsors, Job Search Assistance and Social Services
Institutional Pre Release Programs
Monthly Classes
Work Release Programs and Community Work Centers
Limestone Pre Release Program (120 day program)
Therapeutic Community Programs (behavior modification)
Substance Abuse Programs
Crime Bill, 8 Week SAP, Relapse Prevention and Aftercare Programs

8. Some Identified Needs of PIPS
Primary and Essential Needs: Food, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation, Release Documentation (prior to and after release)
Secondary Needs: Reporting, Obtaining Personal Identification, Felony Identification Card, Drivers License, Job Assistance, Family Reintegration
Tertiary Needs: Drug Treatment Services, Mental Health, Spiritual Mentoring, Therapeutic Counseling, Social Support

9. 2008 Reentry Initiatives
“What are we doing now?”

10. Reentry Program Implementation **Identified Staff**
Institutional Designee’s = 30
Major Institutions
Work Release Centers and Community Work Centers
Classification, Treatment, Chaplaincy and Support Staff
Reentry Duties:
Institutional Pre Release Program
Halfway House and Agency Applications
Transitional Case Management Linkages to State, Community and Faith Based Organizations

11. DOC Reentry Model Phase Description 1
Identification, Screening, Assessment and Orientation 2
Pre Release Program Implementation
Client and Community Education Modules
Transitional Case Management and Reentry Linkages 3
Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation

12. Identification, Screening, Assessment and Orientation
Reentry - Phase One
Identification, Screening, Assessment and Orientation
Target Group:
Inmates who are within days of release
(End of Sentence, Parole Candidates, Split
Sentence Probationers and SRP Candidates)
**Estimated releases monthly**

13. Reentry - Phase Two **Institutional Pre Release Programs**
Two Week Program – Monthly
Mandatory participation for all inmates**
Transitional Case Management Services
Community Resource Referrals and Linkages
NCIC Background Checks
Assistance with Personal Identification
Life Skills and Enrichment

14. Reentry - Phase Two **Institutional Pre Release Programs**
Reentry Modules
Description
Module 1:
Addiction and Recovery
Understanding the Relapse Process
12 Phases and Warning Signs of Relapse
Post Acute Withdrawals
Statewide Roster of AA/NA Meetings
Twelve Step / Secular Sponsorship and Support
Accessing Drug Treatment, Halfway Houses and Aftercare/Continuing Care, and IOP Services
Module 2:
Job, Career, Social and Character Building Skills
Self Directed Job Search and Career Planning
Communication Skills
Financial Management Skills
Module 3:
Faith, Communication and Character Building and Social Skills
Faith Based Resources and Community Linkages
Spiritual Enrichment and Mentoring
Communication and Relationship Skills

15. Institutional Pre Release Program cont.
Reentry Modules
Description
Module 4:
Health Education Screenings and Community Referrals
Medical Discharge Summary Sheet
County Health Departments
Mental Health Clinics and Rural Health Clinics
Federally Qualified Health Center
Module 5:
Family Reintegration and Support
Connecting Families to Services
Family Resource Centers / Parenting Assistance Line
Reentry Aftercare Group
Module 6:
Law Enforcement
Process Release ID Card and C80-Release Papers
Exit / Release Packet - Parole Papers, Bus Ticket, ID Verification, Clothing
Background Checks and Verbal Dissemination of Information

16. Phase 3 **Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation**
Process, Outcome and Impact Monitoring
Institutional Services
Community Tracking
Assessment of Field Services
Long Term Reporting

17. Collaborative Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry

18. Collaborative Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry
Agency
Service Provided
Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs
Faith Based Resources – Home and Job Assistance
Workforce Development Initiatives
AL Dept. of Public Health
Preventative Health Education Information, Birth Certificates, and Referral Linkages to County Health Departments, Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers
AL Dept. of Post Secondary Education
Adult Literacy and GED Programs
AL Dept. of Public Safety
Drivers Licenses and Personal Identification Cards and Reinstatements
Social Security Administration
Social Security Card, Pre Existing Benefits and Entitlement Programs

19. Collaborative Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry
Agency
Service Provided
AL Board of Pardons and Parole
Institutional Pre Release Programs, monitoring, supervision and community linkages
AL Dept. of Human Resources
Locating noncustodial parents
Child Support Payments and Child Welfare Programs
Termination of Parental Rights
Reentry Video for New Arrivals
AL Dept. of Rehabilitation Services
Social Services and Job Placement Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (Ages with a primary medical or mental health diagnosis)
AL Dept. of Corrections
Pre Release Planning, Transitional Services, Drug Treatment, Mental Health Services and Supervised Reentry Program

20. Collaborative Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry
Agencies
Medicaid
Department of Senior Services
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Children’s Affairs
Department of Industrial Relations

21. Collaborative Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry
**Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation**
Statewide Transitional Programs
Certified vs. Non-certified Halfway Houses
Residential Rehabilitation Programs and Group Homes
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Facilities

22. Community and Faith Based Partnerships for Prisoner Reentry
Aletheia House
The Dannon Project
The Village
Good News From Above
Elijah House
West Park Recover Center
Renaissance House
Assistance in Recovery
Prison Fellowship Ministries
Crossover Ministry
Dauphin Way Lodge
The Foundry
His Place
The Lovelady Center
Rapha House
The Bridge
The Neighborhood House/BUILD
Serenity Care
The Center of Hope
House of Hope
The Promises
The
WINNERS
Aid to Inmate Moms
Discovery Outreach
New Life Center for Women
Newbirth Outreach Ministries
Faith Rescue Mission
The Firehouse Shelter
The HAVEN
The Fellowship Houses (3)
New Beginnings Foundation
Salvation Army
Emma’s Harvest Home
Path To Success
Dothan Rescue Mission
Center for Extended Families

23. Community Awareness and Public Information
Governors Task Force Mtg.’s
Community Advisory Board Mtg.’s
Interagency Reentry Video Tapings
Interdepartmental Media Releases
Web Site and Departmental Newsletters
Statewide Conferences
Departmental Cross Trainings and Staff Meetings
Word of Mouth
Family Call In’s
Inmate Grapevine

24. Upcoming Initiatives
“Discharge Planning A-Z” Training – Sponsored by: NMAC – March 27, 2008
State Agency and Community Resource Training
April 3, 10, 17, 2008
Halfway Houses and Transitional Programs – Panel Discussion – April 17, 2008
Reentry and Transitional Services for Work Release Centers – April 24, 2008

25. Upcoming Initiatives cont.
Monthly Reentry Newsletter – Institutional Staff and Inmates
Reentry Link on Department Web Site
Proposed Reentry Staff Positions
Quarterly Meeting Updates
Pilot Project – Reentry Referrals
Program Implementation and Kick Off – May ‘08

26. Questions and Answers
My Contact Information:
Elana M. Parker, M.Ed., M.L.A.P
Reentry Coordinator/Public Health Liaison
Alabama Department of Corrections and
Alabama Department of Public Health
Office #: (334)