NCJ Number
207653
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 66 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2004 Pages: 72-74,76,77
Date Published
October 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the development and operations of Oregon's Home for Good program, which involves statewide, broad-based coalitions of community organizations and religious institutions working with criminal justice agencies to reduce recidivism among released offenders returning to the community.
Abstract
Religious Services, which is based in the Transitional Services Division of the Oregon Department of Corrections, envisioned and developed the program so as to comply with constitutional mandates regarding the distinct roles of church and state. Religious Services hired Oregon's first full-time reentry chaplain to establish a statewide community and faith-based reentry project whose operations would reflect the State's model of best corrections practices. Four principles underlie the strategy of Home for Good. First, the focus is on developing the community's capacity to assist in the reintegration of offenders. Second, the program identifies and coordinates the distinctive resources of the various religious and community organizations that can assist in offenders' positive adjustment in the community. Third, the program focuses its efforts and resources on those communities that have the highest concentration of returning offenders; and fourth, the strategies and programs used to prevent recidivism have been and continue to be tested to determine their effectiveness. The statewide program is governed by a steering committee of 30-35 members with representation from all regions of the State. 8 notes