Need for Offender Re entry Programs Cynthia Howerton

Need for Offender Re entry Programs Cynthia Howerton Project Design – PS 3003 September 25, 2016

Background of Project Company: Garland County Detention Center (GCDC) Ø Opened new location June 15, 2015 Ø Lt. Belinda Cosgrove is the Program/Service Director Ø Built as a solution to overcrowding – can house 500 inmates Ø Teach inmates to adapt to society more effectively using in house programs Ø Involved with re entry programs after inmates are released

Purpose of Project The purpose of this project is to evaluate the needs of the re entry programs at the GCDC and how they impact the local community. The correctional system is overcrowded and there is a great need to help inmates transition more successfully into society and re entry program are beneficial in reducing recidivism.

Problem Identified Not enough re entry programs to assist with every need inmates have upon release. Nearly 2/3 of released inmates will be rearrested, negatively affecting society economically, emotionally and mentally. Nation-wide re-entry needs Ø Employment Ø Life skills Ø Access to educational program § GCDC re-entry needs Ø Education Ø Job skills Ø Money Ø Safe housing Ø Rebuilding family relationships §

Research Methods Ø Survey – main source of information (see next slide) v Collected Ø In person interviews v Spoke Ø In 15 surveys at the GCDC with 5 inmates at the GCDC person observations v Over a period of 6 months, observed over 50 inmates

Survey Questionnaire What is your marital status? ______ Married ______ Single ______ Divorced What is your age? ______ Under 21 ______ 22 30 ______ 31 – 40 ______ 41 + How many children do you have? ______ None ______ One ______ Two ______ Three or more Do you own a vehicle? ______ Yes Do you have a safe place to live when you get released? ______ Yes, but it’s not very safe ______ No, but I am in the process of applying to a safe/transitional house Describe your relationship with your children? ______ Very good, they are a part of my life ______ OK, but there is still a lot of improvements to be made ______ Not good, they barely talk to me or see me ______ Terrible, they don’t want me in their lives How many times have you been to jail? ______ This is my first time ______ Two ______ Three ______ Four or more What is your employment status? ______ I have a job waiting for me when I get out ______ I don’t have a job What is the reason you are in jail (check all that apply)? ______ Selling drugs ______ Possession of drugs ______ Theft ______ Domestic violence ______ Other (please be specific) ______________________ No, but I have money to buy one when I get out What is your level of education? ______ Grade School ______ High School Diploma ______ GED ______ Some College ______ College Degree List the main item(s) of concern that you have upon your release (list in order of importance). 1. __________________ 2. __________________ 3. __________________ 4. __________________ 5. __________________ What do you feel is your greatest need when you get released (check all that apply)? ______ having money ______ lack of high school diploma (GED) ______ getting a job ______ finding a place to live ______ seeing your children ______ Other (please list) __________________ Have you attended any helpful programs while in jail? If so, please list name and how they were helpful. ___________________________________________________________ ______________________________

Results § Inmate Demographics Ø Average Ø 80% Ø inmate age was 31 to 40 or more inmates have children less than 50% married Ø Almost all had a high school or higher education

Results § Top Inmate Needs (by most important) Ø Seeing children Ø Getting a job Ø Safe place to live Ø Money to pay fines/bills

Results § Top Inmate Needs (CHART RESULTS) Greatest Need Upon Release recovery program 2 healthcare 1 need a GED 1 # of inmates seeing children 9 finding a place to live 6 getting a job 6 having money 5

Results § Top Inmate Concerns (by most important) Ø Staying sober Ø Repairing Ø family relationships Having a safe place to live Ø Getting a job

Results § Top Inmate Concerns (CHART RESULTS) Greatest Concern Upon Release staying sober 10 repairing relationship with family 7 no job 7 no home 7 no money 4 recovery 3 no car 3 lack of support system 2 overcoming guilt and shame 1 health issues 1 finding hobbie 1 finding church 1 education 1 # of inmates

Results § Top Reasons for Arrest (by most important) Ø Theft Ø Probation Ø violation – drug related Possession of drugs

Results § Top Reasons for Arrest (CHART RESULTS) Reason for Arrest third degree battery 1 theft - 7 7 probation violation - drug related - 3 4 possession of drug - 3 3 forgery 1 failure to appear - drug related 1 endangering welfare of a minor 1 # of inmates

Results § Most Helpful Re-Entry Programs While Incarcerated (by most important) Ø Celebrate Recovery (faith based programs unanimously preferred) Ø Substance Abuse Ø Parenting Ø Anger Management

Action Plan § § Program Awareness Ø Inmates need programs upon their release Ø Inmates need more program awareness when released Implementation Ø GCDC employees need to be trained to pass out the outreach materials before an inmate is released Ø Volunteers can assist in passing out literature on available outreach programs before inmates are released

Action Plan § § Cost Ø Using volunteers and employees, there would not any additional labor cost Ø A minimal amount of cost is needed to purchase the paper to print the materials on Feasibility Ø § Using the already existing manpower, distributing material is very feasible Timeline Ø Educating inmates about available resources can start immediately while they are detained Ø Passing out materials can begin immediately before or upon release

Benefits of Re Entry Programs National Park College (NPC) Adult Education Center hosted its third graduation at the Garland County Detention Center (GCDC) Tuesday where six new graduates earned their GED® diploma. (June 2016)

Questions?