North Carolina’s Serious & Violent Offender ReEntry Initiative: Going Home A Systemic Approach to Offender Reintegration Justice Systems Innovations NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Services

Going Home Initiative Goals To ensure public safety by reducing recidivism through successful community reintegration. To create a sustainable transition & reentry process that ensures coordinated services & supervision for offenders released from prison. To establish a statewide network of government agencies, community & faith-based organizations, businesses & citizens committed to successful offender transition & reentry.

Framework Role Clarification Accountability Responsibility Training & Development

NC Reentry Cluster Communities Region 3 Region 2 Region 1 23 Ashe Alleghany 23 1 Gates Surry 17 Caswell 9 9 Vance 9 Warren Northampton 6 Currituck Stokes 17 Rockingham 17 Person 9 9 Granville 6 Hertford Camden 24 Watauga 6 Halifax Perquimans Region 4 Wilkes 23 Yadkin 23 Forsyth 21 Alamance 15 6 Bertie Pasquotank 9 Franklin Mitchell 24 Avery 24 Guilford 18 Orange 15 Durham 14 7 Nash Chowan Yancey 24 Caldwell 25 Alexander 22 7 Edgecombe Davie 22 2 Martin Madison 24 Iredell 22 Wake 10 2 Washington Burke 25 Davidson 22 2 Tyrrell Chatham 15 Dare 1 Catawba 25 Randolph 19 Wilson 7 McDowell 29 Rowan 19 3 Pitt 2 Beaufort Haywood 30 Buncombe 28 Swain 30 Lincoln 27 Lee 11 Johnston 11 8 Greene 2 Hyde 30 Graham Rutherford 29 Cabarrus 19 19 Montgomery Harnett 11 8 Wayne Jackson 30 Henderson 29 27 Cleveland Polk 29 27 Gaston Stanly 20 Moore 20 Transylvania 29 26 Mecklenburg 8 Lenoir 3 Craven 3 Pamlico Cherokee 30 Clay 30 Macon 30 12 Cumberland 4 Jones Union 20 Anson 20 Richmond 20 Hoke 16 Sampson 4 Duplin 4 16 Scotland 4 Onslow 3 Carteret Robeson 16 13 Bladen Pender 5 13 Columbus New Hanover 5 13 Brunswick

North Carolina’s Offender Re-entry Process Phase 1: Division of Prisons Make a plan for the offender’s reentry Participate in programs such as education, substance abuse & mental health treatment, life skills & job training Phase 2: Community Reentry Ongoing review & monitoring of the offender’s reentry plan Participate in programs for needed services, such as supervised housing, job placement, education & treatment Phase 3: Long-term Support Long-term accountability for reentry plan Participate in aftercare treatment, ongoing mentoring, & support groups via community-based organizations Offender Management Model (OMM) Clinical Assessment Individualized Case Plan Employment Mental Health Services CBI Transportation Education/ Voc Training Substance Abuse Svcs Medical Services Housing/Food/ Clothing Continuous Case Management and Case Staffing

Target Population Released from prison with at least 90 days of community supervision (e.g., parole or post-release supervision) Age 18-35 at time of release Going home to one of the cluster communities (see map)

Target Population Profile

Phase 1: Institution Plan for the offender’s reentry Participation in programs such as academic & vocational education, substance abuse, & life skills Work on the unit or through work release, or participate in vocational programs or job training Receive medical & mental health treatment as needed

Institution Process Generate list of eligible inmates 12-15 months prior to release Review list, verify eligibility, & contact case managers Discuss Going Home Initiative & schedule initial meeting

Institution Process (contd) Review inmate’s file Conduct Team meeting w/ Case Manager & Inmate (w/in 12 mos.) Complete needs assessment, OTI & Common Assessment Modify case plan Conduct Team meeting w/ Case Manager & Inmate (w/in 6 mos.) Review case plan Make recommendations for conditions of release Conduct Team meeting with Case Manager & Inmate (prior to release) Review case plan & make initial recommendations for community case plan Develop release schedule

Intended Outcomes Improve coordination of program & service delivery in prison Identify transition & reentry needs earlier Increase accountability for expected outcomes Institute an outcome-oriented case planning process Initiate a seamless transition from prison to the community

DOC Programs, Policies & Procedures Education (academic & vocational) Vocational Rehabilitation Drug/Alcohol Recovery Treatment (DART) Character Education Transition Aftercare Network (TAN) Employment (Work Release, Corrections Enterprise) Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI) JOBSTART/JOBSTART II (Job Preparation for Offenders) Mutual Agreement Parole Program (MAPP) New Case Management policy New Transition policy Transition Envelope

Phase 2: Community Reentry Ongoing review & monitoring of offender’s reentry plan Participate in programs for needed treatment & services, such as supervised housing, job search & placement, academic & vocational education & treatment Develop mentoring relationship & supportive networks

Community Process Initiate 24-hour shadow (community mentor) Establish basic support system Begin probation supervision Develop community case plan with expanded Transition Team Monitor case plan Participation in programs & services Focus on housing, employment & mentoring Continue on-going case management

Intended Outcomes Re-assess offender for risk & need Monitor outcome-oriented case planning Increase accountability for expected outcomes Improve program & service delivery system in the community Emphasize specific transition issues such as housing, employment, mentoring & treatment

Phase 3: Long-term Support Identify goals for long-term accountability Participate in continuing care, mentoring & support groups Continue monitoring of reentry plan

Long-term Process Provide supportive network for offender Build capacity of community partners to provide supportive network for offenders Promote and cultivate relationships among network partners Conduct training and provide technical assistance and workshops

Intended Outcomes Establish long-term support & networks in the community Build capacity of communities to hold offenders accountable Build capacity of community-based organizations to support offenders in transition Share accountability for expected outcomes

Keys to Offender Reintegration An interlocking process involving the correctional system w/ state & local partners: Pre-release planning & preparation Post-release transitioning & supervision On-going community support Close supervision from day of release through transition by probation/parole officers, in concert w/ local law enforcement & community-based partners, is essential for keeping the offender focused on his/her reintegration case plan.

Post-Release Supervision Close supervision monitoring of the offender from the day of release through the end of the transitional phase by probation/ parole officers, in concert with local law enforcement & other community-based partners. This is crucial to keeping the offender on task in pursuing his or her reintegration case plan.

The Four C’s of Partnering Collaboration A spirit of willing cooperation & mutual respect that allows different entities to share a common vision to contribute to the process. Coordination A sequenced plan of action, agreed to by all parties, delineating who will do what, when & for what duration. Commitment A good-faith pledge by all partners to do whatever each has resources to do, with no concern for who gets credit. Communication The free sharing of information and knowledge.

Reintegration Culminates in the Community The ultimate challenge of the reintegration process occurs in the community. The community partners who will assume primary respons-ibility in this stage must be increasingly involved in the process as it progresses, ensuring continuity of support leading to offender reintegration.

Objectives of the Local Partner Process Increased understanding of the criminal justice system, corrections & offenders Enhanced ability to respond to public safety issues, as well as community concerns Integrated local resources & agency work Enhanced problem-solving skills around common interests An educated, diverse core group that can explain program & resource needs for system integration

Local Partner Process: Critical Elements Define a mechanism to facilitate two-way communication; All parties directly involved must be committed to the mechanism Representation from all appropriate segments of the community Define the roles & responsibilities of each partner Direct involvement in decision-making process Clearly defined procedures to hold each other accountable Each partner’s needs & limitations are acknow-ledged & addressed Orientations for all partners to learn about each other

Local Partner “to do list” Develop leadership structure Develop regular meeting schedule Develop local Memoranda of Understanding & standard operating procedures Tour local prison & build relationships with staff Conduct resource mapping in major need areas: housing, employment, mentoring/life coaching & treatment Develop job description for contractual JobLink staff Build network capacity by participating in training & requesting technical assistance