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NEW -- Reentry Guidelines -- NEW
Reentry Guidelines offers tried & evidence-tested suggestions for men & women preparing to leave incarceration & reenter society as well as for reentry professionals, service providers, & volunteers.
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+ Acronyms: translation everyone needs occasionally. +
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Contents
A. Rough Outline
A1. For currently & formerly incarcerated men & women
A2. What formerly incarcerated folks should expect
A3. Sentencing reforms etc. relevant to reentry
B. Local Resources
C. More Resources
A. Rough Outline of Reentry Guidelines
A1. For currently & formerly incarcerated incarcerated men & women. This is a general outline; guidelines must be individualized to accommodate the needs & circumstances of each person (INCOMPLETE).
See this: New York State Department of Correctional Services, "Coming Home, A Family's Guide to Reunification," in Spanish and English.
Also this: Family Survival Guide: Information, Resources and Personal Stories for Families with Incarcerated Loved Ones (FREE! Families Rally for Emancipaton and Empowerment, 2010). Magnificent effort to construct a comprehensive help, in print & *.PDF form, for all. Many help essays, contact information for all NY state prisons & more, & poignant testimony. Available here (click above). Families Rally's at PO Box 90, Syracuse, NY 13201; 718-300-9576; freefamiliesinc@gmail.com; & the web. Thank you, Good People. We're glad to see your important work & hope you'll now be including us in the Rochester/Monroe County area. It's such a good resource, we're placing this information on several other pages of this website.
1. Before release
--Develop a reentry plan that suits your situation & prospects
--Realistically review your mental & emotional preparedness for release
--Meet & connect with a representative of a reentry organization at home
--Think about how to reunite with family if relations are strained or broken
---> ---> "Prison dads learn meaning of 'Father'," by Rich Jervis, USA Today,
06/17/10.
--Obtain photo ID with you legal name, Social Security number & date of birth; learn how & where to use it
--Know how to get a copy of your rap sheet
--Realize it takes time & patience to achieve a new life on the outside [Contents]
2. After release
--Confer with your parole or probation officer
--Confer with your local reentry organization contact
--Consider the value of a mentor, a trusted & faithful advisor
--Obtain a mentor and/or case worker who will work with you individually
--Realistically review your mental & emotional readiness for what lies before you
--Learn to pace yourself & your activities
--Be comfortable where you live; seek further advice about housing if needed
--Eat moderately yet well
--Take time for recreation, to be at peace with yourself
--If necessary, get help to plan your finances
--Take part in reentry assistance groups & others, such as AA, NA, etc.
--Possibly apply for Emergency Assistance (County Department of Health & Human Services [DHS])
--Review your rap sheet for possible errors; correct rap sheet errors
--Apply for medical (Medicaid) coverage
--If necessary, apply for Food Stamps (DHS)
--Begin, or continue, recovery & health maintenance services
--See professionals on health issues, whether physical or mental, chronic or casual [Contents]
3. Simultaneously or Thereafter
--Realistically review mental & emotional readiness for connecting with family & loved ones
--Reconcile with family & loved ones; get advice or help if necessary
---> "Better Men Make Better Fathers," by Wendy Sachs, USA Weekend,
06/18-20/10.
---> "Prison dads learn meaning of 'Father'," by Rich Jervis, USA Today,
06/17/10.
--Develop long-term training, education, & employment plan
--Engage in enjoyable recreation & ways to stay fit & let off steam
--Seek a place of worship that is comforting & supportive
--Engage in training & education with serious intention; apply yourself
--Learn what employment opportunities may be available for you
--Realistically review your mental & emotional readiness for employment
--Seek employment
--Stay in contact with your probation or parole officer; comply with all legal requirements of your release [Contents]
[List is incomplete]
A2. What formerly incarcerated folks should expect
--From all: respect & courtesy
--In Housing & Employment: Non-descrimination, except where legally allowed; seek advice in advance, if necessary, from the Monroe County Legal Assistance Center
--From service providers:
----Assessment of your needs & expectations
----Interventions targeted to prescribed needs
----Prioritized supervision & treatment resources for higher risk offenders
----Responsiveness to your temperament, learning style, motivation, culture, & gender
----Suggestions to structure 40-70% of your time during the first 3-9 months
----Treatment integrated with sentence & sanction requirements
----Cognitive behavioral treatment as needed
----Positive reinforcement
----Encouragement of engagement in natural communities & with family
----Measurement of relevant processes & actions
----Collection & evaluation of feedback information [Contents]
A3. Sentencing reforms etc. relevant to reentry
Sentencing Guidelines for offenders with alcohol & other drug problems (New): Sentencing Commission Releases Guidelines on Alternative Penalties: News summary, 05/04/10: Judges may depart from federal sentencing guidelines to refer such offenders to addiction treatment or other alternatives to incarceration, according to new guidelines issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Information from website "Join Together: Advancing Effective Alcohol and Drug Policy, Prevention, and Treatment" at Boston University. [Contents]
B. Local Resources [Contents]
Community Reentry SMART Card: A handy resource reference of Monroe County reentry services for individuals leaving incarceration, their loved ones, & service providers. Revision (05/06/10) of original SMART card in circulation since 2009. Print, cut and fold. Fits neatly in pocket, purse, or wallet.
[Contents]
Family Reconciliation: Partners in Restorative Justice, at 111 Hillside Ave., Rochester, NY 14610; 585-473-0970; Fax 585-473-4868, has a special program for helping reconcile incarcerated individuals and reentrants with their families.
Monroe County Reentry Services at the Catholic Family Services: See important statement, Our Service Philosophy, outlines principles for safer, more successful reentry from time of incarceration onward. [Contents]
3. More Resources
Transition from Prison to Community (TPC) Model of the National Institute of Corrections. Primarily for prisons & reentry organizations for planning & service management. TPC is the basis of the work of Monroe County Reentry Services at the Catholic Family Center as well as of organizations throughout New York State & in several other states. [Contents]
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