Shaping the Future of Shaping the Future of TransitionTransition

Office of Transition ServicesOffice of Transition Services

NC Department of CorrectionNC Department of Correction

May 2007May 2007

Office of Transition Services Office of Transition Services

The Office of Transition Services (OTS) was created in The Office of Transition Services (OTS) was created in September 2006 by Secretary Theodis BeckSeptember 2006 by Secretary Theodis Beck

OTS is responsible for the coordination of all internal OTS is responsible for the coordination of all internal activities related to transition and reentry.activities related to transition and reentry.

OTS provides assistance to internal and external OTS provides assistance to internal and external stakeholders in developing policies and procedures, stakeholders in developing policies and procedures, shaping new programs and providing training for staff in shaping new programs and providing training for staff in effective transition and reentryeffective transition and reentry

Goals of OTSGoals of OTS

Ensure all transition and reentry efforts within the Ensure all transition and reentry efforts within the department are unified and coordinateddepartment are unified and coordinated

Provide education & training to internal divisions and Provide education & training to internal divisions and external partners/stakeholders on the needs and barriers external partners/stakeholders on the needs and barriers offenders face when returning to the communityoffenders face when returning to the community

Promote programs & services that address barriers to Promote programs & services that address barriers to successful offender reentry (i.e. employment, housing, successful offender reentry (i.e. employment, housing, treatment, etc)treatment, etc)

Provide education, training, technical assistance, and Provide education, training, technical assistance, and support for local partnerships and networks designed to support for local partnerships and networks designed to support offender transition and reentrysupport offender transition and reentry

What is Transition?What is Transition?

What is Transition?What is Transition?

Transition is the process of reentry made by incarcerated Transition is the process of reentry made by incarcerated individuals from jail or prison to the community. individuals from jail or prison to the community.

(Report of the Re-entry Policy (Report of the Re-entry Policy Council/www.reentrypolicy.org)Council/www.reentrypolicy.org)

Transition is the process of implementing a defined plan Transition is the process of implementing a defined plan of action from incarceration to reentry into the of action from incarceration to reentry into the community.community.

Why Transition?Why Transition?

Structured Sentencing Laws require 100% completion of Structured Sentencing Laws require 100% completion of sentencesentence

Transition is a better use of tax dollars and community Transition is a better use of tax dollars and community resourcesresources

During incarceration offenders obtain marketable skills During incarceration offenders obtain marketable skills for today’s labor marketfor today’s labor market

Best Practices in TransitionBest Practices in Transition

Collaborative- active integration among partiesCollaborative- active integration among parties

Person Centered Plan-inclusive and progressive steps Person Centered Plan-inclusive and progressive steps with realistic goalswith realistic goals

Modifiable- as behavior changes and goals are met the Modifiable- as behavior changes and goals are met the team assess planteam assess plan

Plan is centered on seamless transitionPlan is centered on seamless transition

Sustainable in the community Sustainable in the community

Best Practices cont.Best Practices cont.

Informal social controls Informal social controls (such as family, peer, and (such as family, peer, and community influences) have a more direct effect on community influences) have a more direct effect on offender behavior than formal social controlsoffender behavior than formal social controls

Duration Duration of the intervention is critical to offender of the intervention is critical to offender outcomes. Behavior change is a long process that outcomes. Behavior change is a long process that requires a minimum of 12 to 24 months. requires a minimum of 12 to 24 months.

Dosage Dosage of the intervention is critical to change. Intensity of the intervention is critical to change. Intensity and frequency are important to assist the offender in and frequency are important to assist the offender in making critical decisions that affect the likelihood of making critical decisions that affect the likelihood of success. success.

Comprehensive, integrated, and flexibleComprehensive, integrated, and flexible programs are programs are effective when they meet the individual’s multiple needseffective when they meet the individual’s multiple needs

Best Practices Cont.Best Practices Cont.

ContinuityContinuity, Interventions, either in prison or in the , Interventions, either in prison or in the community, should build upon each othercommunity, should build upon each other

Communication Communication of offender responsibility and of offender responsibility and expectations is necessary expectations is necessary

Support Support mechanisms are critical to long-term success. mechanisms are critical to long-term success. Support mechanisms can involve the family, community, Support mechanisms can involve the family, community, and informal agencies and informal agencies

Offender Offender accountability accountability and responsibility is key. A and responsibility is key. A system of sanctions and incentives must ensure that the system of sanctions and incentives must ensure that the offender understands expectations and rules offender understands expectations and rules

NC Department of Correction: NC Department of Correction: Transition GoalTransition Goal

NC Department of Correction goal for transition is to NC Department of Correction goal for transition is to lessen recidivism and to restore offenders to being lessen recidivism and to restore offenders to being

productive members of society.productive members of society.

The Current NeedThe Current Need

Prison Inmates 38,497Prison Inmates 38,497

– Male Inmates 35,730Male Inmates 35,730– Female Inmates 2,767Female Inmates 2,767

Probationers 114,104Probationers 114,104

ParoleesParolees 2,8512,851

Total Total 155,452155,452

(figures based on data from 5-16-07)(figures based on data from 5-16-07)

53% of current inmates are re-admissions53% of current inmates are re-admissions

OverviewOverview

79 prisons, 3 contract facilities79 prisons, 3 contract facilitiesMale/female, adult/youth, Male/female, adult/youth, minimum/medium/closeminimum/medium/close>38,000 inmates>38,000 inmatesEstimates of >45,000 incarcerated by 2016Estimates of >45,000 incarcerated by 2016Releases:Releases:– 2003 - 2004= 20,2282003 - 2004= 20,228– 2004 - 2005 = 24,6182004 - 2005 = 24,618– 2005 - 20062005 - 2006 = = 26,45726,457– 1/2007- 3/2007= 6,6511/2007- 3/2007= 6,651

Offender Management Model Offender Management Model (OMM)(OMM)

The Offender Management Model states eachThe Offender Management Model states each

inmate will have one plan created by a singleinmate will have one plan created by a single

team that includes wrap around servicesteam that includes wrap around services

designed for achieving the goals ofdesigned for achieving the goals of

incarceration and successful reentry. incarceration and successful reentry.

Phase IIntake &

Stabilization

Phase IISupervision &

Monitoring

Phase IIIStructured Transition

Phase IVReintegration

Maintenance &Sustainability

AssessmentAssessmentClassificationClassificationTreatment referralsTreatment referrals

Address Risk & Criminogenic NeedsAddress Risk & Criminogenic NeedsChange thinking & behaviorChange thinking & behaviorTreatment participationTreatment participationSkill DevelopmentSkill Development

Re Develop pro social networksRe Develop pro social networksSense of Self EfficacySense of Self EfficacyEngage external supportsEngage external supports

Discharge planningDischarge planningCoordinate Aftercare servicesCoordinate Aftercare servicesAccountability & OwnershipAccountability & Ownership

Integrated Case Planning & Integrated Case Planning & Case ManagementCase Management

NCDOC Office of Transition NCDOC Office of Transition Services Reentry ModelServices Reentry Model(under construction)(under construction)

PHASE IPHASE I

Assessment, Classification & Treatment ReferralsAssessment, Classification & Treatment Referrals

Phase I Intake &

Stabilization

Phase I Phase I

Team Members:Team Members:– Prison DivisionsPrison Divisions– Community VolunteersCommunity Volunteers– Family MembersFamily Members– Community Resource CouncilCommunity Resource Council– Community CollegesCommunity Colleges– Vocational RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation– Vital RecordsVital Records– Social Security Administration/ DMVSocial Security Administration/ DMV– Faith partnersFaith partners

Phase I ProcessPhase I Process

Ensure the use of validated instruments for consistent Ensure the use of validated instruments for consistent results that are reliable and address static and dynamic results that are reliable and address static and dynamic factors.factors.

- DOP uses the OTI for static factors such as - DOP uses the OTI for static factors such as previous incarceration, childhood abuse previous incarceration, childhood abuse

- DCC is creating a dynamic assessment for - DCC is creating a dynamic assessment for factors factors such as substance abuse and risk such as substance abuse and risk

assessmentsassessments

PHASE IIPHASE II

Address Risk and Criminogenic Needs; Change thinking, Address Risk and Criminogenic Needs; Change thinking, and behavior; treatment participation; Skill developmentand behavior; treatment participation; Skill development

Phase IISupervision and

Monitoring

PHASE IIPHASE II

Team Members:Team Members:– Community Corrections -DMVCommunity Corrections -DMV– Victim Services - Employment ServicesVictim Services - Employment Services– Parole Commission - Treatment ProvidersParole Commission - Treatment Providers– Community Volunteers -Business CommunityCommunity Volunteers -Business Community– Community Colleges -Vocational RehabilitationCommunity Colleges -Vocational Rehabilitation– Family Members - Faith Based CommunityFamily Members - Faith Based Community– Housing ProvidersHousing Providers– Criminal Justice Partnership ProgramCriminal Justice Partnership Program

Phase II ProcessPhase II Process

Create an informed individualized program plan geared Create an informed individualized program plan geared toward releasetoward release

Person centered assignments are better than arbitrary Person centered assignments are better than arbitrary assignmentsassignments– Use data from assessments to provide targeted and Use data from assessments to provide targeted and

comprehensive program comprehensive program – Use multidisciplinary team as described aboveUse multidisciplinary team as described above– Incorporate the plan into the daily life of the inmateIncorporate the plan into the daily life of the inmate

PHASE IIIPHASE III

(Re) Develop pro-social networks; Sense of self efficacy; (Re) Develop pro-social networks; Sense of self efficacy; Engage external SupportsEngage external Supports

PHASE IIIStructured Transition

PHASE III PHASE III

Team Members:Team Members:– Community VolunteersCommunity Volunteers– MentorsMentors– Faith PartnersFaith Partners– Employment ServicesEmployment Services– Family MembersFamily Members– Treatment ProvidersTreatment Providers

Phase III ProcessPhase III Process

Convene transition planning team to review inmates Convene transition planning team to review inmates preparedness for releasepreparedness for release

Assess progress of assigned programsAssess progress of assigned programs

Perform risk assessment for criminogenic factorsPerform risk assessment for criminogenic factors

Gauge community of release for its preparedness to Gauge community of release for its preparedness to accept ex-offenderaccept ex-offender

Keep information and communication openKeep information and communication open

Preparation for ReleasePreparation for Release

TDE (Transition Document Envelope)TDE (Transition Document Envelope)

Confirmed Home PlanConfirmed Home Plan

30 day supply of Medication (If required)30 day supply of Medication (If required)

Substance abuse treatment appointment scheduledSubstance abuse treatment appointment scheduled

Mental health treatment appointment scheduled (if Mental health treatment appointment scheduled (if required)required)

Acquire employability skills, job leads , educational Acquire employability skills, job leads , educational opportunitiesopportunities

Strengthen ties to Mentor and Community resources Strengthen ties to Mentor and Community resources

PHASE IVPHASE IV

Discharge planning, coordinating aftercare services, Discharge planning, coordinating aftercare services,

accountability and ownershipaccountability and ownership

Phase IVReintegration,Maintenance

&Sustainability

PHASE IVPHASE IV

Team MembersTeam Members– Faith PartnersFaith Partners– Treatment ProvidersTreatment Providers– Family MembersFamily Members– Established Support SystemEstablished Support System

Phase IV ProcessPhase IV Process

Use collaborative network to obtain:Use collaborative network to obtain:– Meaningful employmentMeaningful employment– Adequate housingAdequate housing– Treatment needsTreatment needs– MentorMentor– Continual network of supportContinual network of support– Clear path to accountability and ownership of new lifeClear path to accountability and ownership of new life

Gaps in the ProcessGaps in the Process

The decision making processes by which individuals are The decision making processes by which individuals are sent to prison. sent to prison. The preparation of prisoners for release. The preparation of prisoners for release. The process by which prisoners exit prisons so that key The process by which prisoners exit prisons so that key supports and services are in place during the initial supports and services are in place during the initial transition. transition. Developing reentry initiatives that build on key social Developing reentry initiatives that build on key social relationships-such as family, friends, and the faith relationships-such as family, friends, and the faith community-and improve access to other community-community-and improve access to other community-based supports and services. based supports and services. Targeting and supporting high-risk communities to which Targeting and supporting high-risk communities to which the majority of prisoners return. the majority of prisoners return.

Gaps Cont.Gaps Cont.

Raising the profile of prisoner reentry as a public safety Raising the profile of prisoner reentry as a public safety

issue and not solely a corrections issueissue and not solely a corrections issue. . Availability of therapists for; substance abuse, anger Availability of therapists for; substance abuse, anger management and sex offences.management and sex offences.

Mentors that are committed to long term involvementMentors that are committed to long term involvement

Barriers to Successful TransitionBarriers to Successful Transition

The stigma the community has toward ex-offendersThe stigma the community has toward ex-offendersHousing policies continue to be a major barrier to Housing policies continue to be a major barrier to affordable safe livingaffordable safe livingEmployability beyond “offender friendly” fields to meet Employability beyond “offender friendly” fields to meet the demands of growing occupations and workforce the demands of growing occupations and workforce shortagesshortagesThe cost of appropriate treatment.The cost of appropriate treatment.Criminal record active until ex-offender reaches 80 or Criminal record active until ex-offender reaches 80 or diesdiesResources are often untapped or hard to access without Resources are often untapped or hard to access without community collaborationcommunity collaboration

Office of Transition Services Office of Transition Services Contact Information:Contact Information:

Monica L. Artis, Community Development SpecialistMonica L. Artis, Community Development Specialist

email: email: martis@doc.state.nc.usmartis@doc.state.nc.us

(919) 716-3091(919) 716-3091

Vincent Gaddy, Community Development SpecialistVincent Gaddy, Community Development Specialist

email: email: vgaddy@doc.state.nc.usvgaddy@doc.state.nc.us

(919) 716-3096(919) 716-3096

Anthony Reggi, Community Development Project ManagerAnthony Reggi, Community Development Project Manager

email: email: treggi@doc.state.nc.ustreggi@doc.state.nc.us

(919) 716-3098(919) 716-3098

Roshanna S. Parker, Research and Evaluation AnalystRoshanna S. Parker, Research and Evaluation Analyst

email: email: rparker@doc.state.nc.usrparker@doc.state.nc.us

(919) 716-3089(919) 716-3089