Program Example

The Day Reporting and Reentry Division helps reintegrate individuals back into the community following release from jail. It also provides an alternative to jail for repeat misdemeanants as well as an aftercare program for the graduates of the in-custody boot camp. It combines the benefi ts of intensive supervision with reentry while ensuring public safety.

The Division provides individuals with support mechanisms needed to transition successfully back into the community, while at the same time monitoring their activity to prevent recidivism. The Division also provides services to persons released from prison who have no pending charges or outstanding sentence; these individuals are termed “walk-ins.” After they are cleared for having no outstanding warrants, a case manager assesses their needs and refers them to services. All services available to court-ordered participants are also made available to walk-ins.

The program begins while individuals are serving their sentence in jail. A supervision and reentry plan is designed and a compliance contract is signed. The plan includes the level of supervision, community service hours, job search, counseling, training, daily schedules, and any court-ordered conditions. Once released from jail, the Field Supervision Unit monitors each participant’s activity in the community through random checks at their residence or place of employment based on daily itineraries each individual is required to provide and comply with. The Unit also performs random drug testing, job and address verifi cation, and curfew checks. All felony participants are also placed on an electronic monitor, providing an added level of security.

The Division has a menu of services available on-site and referral resources off-site to address the individual’s needs. A case manager works with a person to build these services into their daily schedule and then works together with the Field Supervision Unit to monitor their compliance. The reentry plan is designed to address each individual’s specialized needs. Participants have access to employment readiness classes, support group meetings, treatment referrals, life skills, fi nancial planning and budgeting, literacy programs, GED/ ABE classes, an on-site computer training lab, and stress and anger management programs.

Individuals are required to participate in an Integrated Cognitive Behavior Change Program crafted by the National Institute of Corrections. The Division places primary emphasis on assisting the individual in gaining employment. The Job Development Program assesses the job readiness of each person and, if necessary, requires them to fi rst complete the Employment Skills Workshop before they are sent on job interviews. The Division has created partnerships with over 60 employers, employment agencies, and vocational technical schools to provide a variety of opportunities to these participants.

The Division also operates two specialized tracks; one is a Community Service Work Program for repeat misdemeanants as an alternative to jail. This specialized track entails all the services described earlier but emphasis is placed on the participant performing up to 128 hours of community restoration projects (picking up litter, painting, planting gardens, etc.) under the supervision of a uniformed deputy. The second specialized track is an Aftercare Program for those who successfully graduate from the in-custody 90-day Military Training Unit (boot camp). This track provides reinforcement of the boot camp’s training, and continuity of care.