NCJ Number
203708
Date Published
October 2003
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This document discusses reentry services for District of Columbia (DC) offenders.
Abstract
This Comprehensive Reentry Strategy is a long-range plan for an effective continuum of reentry services for DC offenders. The Action Plan is the result of a community-based effort. The workgroup action items address important public safety concerns by improving the planning and continuity of services that are necessary for offenders to return from prison and establish productive lives in the community. The workgroups are Pre-Release Planning; Education/Employment; Public Education, Family, and Community Support; Short-term and Long-term Housing; and Legislative and Policy Issues. The Pre-Release Planning Group is to convene a reentry team to complete an individualized reentry plan at the earliest practical moment during incarceration; integrate case management and support services across agencies to assist offenders in obtaining needed services upon release; and ensure that inmates released from incarceration can access services or resources necessary for survival. The Education/Employment Group will use employment market data and ex-offender skill set data to guide job training and employer outreach. Public Education, Family, and Community Support will encourage the development of support systems for the children and families of incarcerated parents; and emphasize the relationship between public safety and successful reentry through the development of public education campaigns. Short-term and Long-term Housing will encourage individual inmates to begin the application process to place an additional family member’s name on a public housing lease at least 90 days prior to release from incarceration; make the process to add a name to public and low-income housing leases more accessible to returning ex-offenders; and encourage reentry teams to include a substance abuse treatment and/or mental health transition plan as part of the pre-release planning process. The Legislative/Policy Issues Group will consider legislation to enhance public safety by addressing the need for an ex-offender housing continuum and the elimination of unnecessary barriers to successful reentry. 28 tables