Study of Expansion of Rehabilitation Programs for Inmates in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties Report February 18, 2012 Tryon Library

The Problem The Study Rehabilitation Programs – State – County – Community Report Conclusion

2.3 million prisoners, the United States leads the world in incarceration. 1 in 100 adults in this country are in jail or prison. State of Florida operates the third largest prison system in the United States. Department of Corrections oversees just over 104,000 inmates around the state in public or private prisons, in addition to 150,000 individuals under community supervision.

Approximately 88% of inmates will be released from prison or jail at some time in their lives. 1/3 of these individuals will be rearrested and return to prison, or recidivate, within 3 years of their release. Rehabilitative programs such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, educational and vocational training, and post-release support have been shown to reduce recidivism.

State of Florida has: 62 prisons 45 work camps 1 treatment facility 33 work release centers 5 road prisons 67 jails are under local control  Services are fragmented some facilities offer substance abuse treatment, some offer vocational training and some offer mental health services.  None provides the full range of services needed by the inmates housed there.

The study began in March 2010 Follow-up of the League’s position of support for “a criminal justice system that emphasizes rehabilitation and alternatives to incarceration.” Committee members visited the facilities and agencies in question and interviewed prison, jail and agency staff as well as community volunteers.  Neither Juvenile Justice nor the Federal System were explored in this study

Local State Structures in Escambia & Santa Rosa – Century Correctional Institution Work Camp Work Release Program Berrydale Forestry Camp – Santa Rosa Correctional Institution & Annex – Blackwater River Correctional Facility (privately operated) Rehabilitation Programs – Adult Basic Education (ABE) – General Equivalency Diploma (GED) prep – 100 hour transition program – DCF &CDAC program – Modality Unit – Life Skills – Vocational Training – Mental Health Services

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, life skills, parenting, GED instruction, computer classes as well as self-help classes. A program to divert mentally ill inmates from incarceration into a treatment program. Women’s Reentry Assistance Program (WRAP) Escambia County Jail Rehabilitation Programs

Escambia County Road Prison Rehabilitation Programs In 2010 inmates were required to have a GED to participate in training programs Working in partnership with George Stone Vocational Center, inmates were offered programs in carpentry, welding, horticulture and plumbing. 100 to 150 hours in programs. Attended three 10-hour classes per week and participated on work crews on the remaining two workdays.

Voluntary programs are offered, including AA and GED preparation. Anger management classes are voluntary or can be ordered by a judge when the inmate is sentenced. A faith-based program, The Most Excellent Way Santa Rosa County Jail Rehabilitation Programs

Pathways for Change Founded in 2005 as a sentencing alternative for individuals with substance use disorders. 28 court-ordered men at a time The men complete 9, 12 or 18 months of treatment Rehabilitation Programs – 12 Step fellowships – individual and family counseling – Job readiness training, communication and relationship skills – Anger resolution and conflict resolution training – Budgeting and financial literacy classes, access to educational and vocational programs – Case management, – Assistance with housing placement.

Reentry Taskforce of Northwest Florida Began April 2009 as a coalition of individuals from public, private and faith-based organizations in the two counties. 100 volunteers to collaborate, coordinate and develop services with the goal of reducing recidivism among prison inmates. Taskforce Sub-Committees Employment Housing Behavioral Health Families’ and Children’s Services Gang Reduction Veterans Advocacy

Pensacola United Methodist Community Ministries – Operation Fresh Start New Life Ministries A Will and A Way, Inc. M & A Community Outreach Center Other Community Rehabilitation Programs

REPORT CONCLUSION

Taxpayers spend 3 times more per year to house an inmate than to educate a student. Committee’s research found good programs in the two-county area, they are inadequate to meet the existing need. Community programs are small and lack steady sources of dedicated, recurrent and sufficient funding. – Provide needed services, unable to fill the gap left by the public programs.

If the government is running prisons and jails there is an incentive to spend taxpayers’ money wisely and reduce expenditures by reducing the inmate population. Recent moves to privatize more state prisons makes this committee question whether the private sector will be motivated toward rehabilitation which would decrease the number of inmates they receive and, hence, their profits.

 Critical Need Areas Identified by Committee – Complications that released inmates face in getting sufficient state-issued identification Without a valid form of identification, inmates cannot obtain employment, even at day labor sites, nor can they rent a room or receive services from a social service agency. – Lack of access to temporary housing for people recently released. Former inmates need safe, affordable housing where they can stay while they are getting back on their feet.

Strictly from a financial viewpoint, providing rehabilitation programs to inmates is a good use of resources. The vast majority of inmates will return to our communities at some time. Education with an emphasis on vocational programs will make our communities safer and save taxpayer dollars by reducing recidivism.

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