Corrections Community

Good Day All,

Would like to know if any jails are utilizing video to educate / inform soon to be release arrestees / inmates on reentry resources.  The idea may look like a repeating video message telling arrestees in a holding cell of who to contact / what to do when released - if in need of critical services ie homeless, addiction treatment, etc.

 Thanks,

Our mental health staff developed a packet of informatiun on community resources (shelters, drug/alcohol programs,clinic numbers and address, social security offices to re-apply for benefits, VA, Offices, etc. The packets are given to ainmates we place on a list to get the information at release. We also have a /release/re-entry planner who works with severely mentally ill ; she attempts to find placements before release. A video would be great but I am not sure possible right now. I'll be interested in any responses you receive. Thanks Kay Martinez, CA

Thanks Kay,

To date, I have not located any jail agency utilizing this type of information dissemination approach ie video.  I will be glad to advise the Corrections Community via this site on the outcome of our efforts here in Miami Dade County Corrections.

J. Botner

305 597-2459

In VT we have gone a step beyond showing a video. All releasing inmates get an ID card upon release. Everyone must have a place to live before we release them; except for some max outs, and we have the "benefits" agency come to the facility so benefits are in place prior to relaease. This is really important for the mental health releases. This is easy to do in VT because we supervise all inmates, and we are heavy into community corrections.

Kay:

I'd like to get a copy of your packet please?

 Mike

Kay, I would also like to see a copy of that packet as well. It sounds like a great resource. My email is kprior@bartholomewco.com. Keith A. Prior Sr. Aftercare/Community Liaison Officer Bartholomew County Youth Services Center 2350 Illinois Street Columbus, IN 47201 812-379-1690

I'd be happy to send you a packet but it includes local resources and it was fairly easy to put together & includes approx. 10 pages, printed on both sides; shelters, mental health clinics, health care, as described in my post. I will need to mail it, or I might be able to upload the files, and send you a link. I am not sure if members post private email address, as I am new to this forum. The hardest part was getting the Sheriif's Department to let us give out the packets. If we are doing a release mental health evaluation, we give out the packet ourselves, but for many, we don't see them at release and need the Sgt. to give out the info. We had bright green stickers made for the booking folders which idenifiy inmates who will need the packet. All the Sgt. has to do is hand over the packet. The Sgt. also gives out bus passes at the same time & if an inmate says there is no place to go, the Sgt.has extra packets. I will check into the best method early next week and let you know. Kay

There's a place in Buffalo (APE? AEP?) the sells a number of videos and books. We have worked with them in the past. Pretty good selection.

We have inmate resource room s(at all three facilitite max., medium and work release) My supervisor, a 25 year vetren of correctional services saw the need and created these resource rooms. All inmates 6 mo or less from release are scheduled to visit with us in the resource room. These rooms are filled with resources for every county of Kansas. Housing, education ,food and hundreds of other resources are available to the inmate. We have computers for resume's, cover letters and corrospondence related to rentry needs. We also have a stand alone, secure computer for the Kansas job link where inmates can look for jobs in their release community. We assist with securing housing and doing as much as we can to have necessary resources in place before he releases . We have video programs for certian educational programs. Recently we had an inmate resource fair and invited resource and educational providers for the men to visit with. Some inmates are seen one time but most come at least two or more times to get all of the detials and needs addressed. Sometimes a few inmates feel we are just "one more thing they have to do" or what can we really offer, and most of the time they are plesantly surprised at how much help we can really be. Sure there are the ones that just wont' come or sit and look at you blank and say "I dont need anything, I have everything I need and can I go now" We have created a data base program that we keep stats. on each inmate, and if they return to prison. A short intake form is done for each inmate and the results of the visit are documentated and sent to the inmate's counselor. We work closely with all the inmate counselors and partner to be sure he is ready(as he can be) for release. I feel the resource rooms are providing a much needed service to the men. The staff are very dedicated to the well being of the men and their success.