NCJ Number
210706
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 96-100
Date Published
June 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes the features and evaluation of a prerelease and reentry life skills project called the "Moving Ahead Program" (MAP), which is delivered at St. Francis House in Boston, MA.
Abstract
MAP is a 14-week, life skills and career development program designed to serve individuals with issues of homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and/or postincarceration needs. MAP has adapted the Atkins Institute of Life Coping Skills curricula within a comprehensive set of wrap-around services. MAP received a competitive grant award under the U.S. Department of Education's Life skills for State and Local Prisoners demonstration grant in 1999. MAP chose the Norfolk County House of Correction within the Norfolk Sheriffs Department to submit the proposal, and the project was selected for a grant and began its operation in the spring of 2000. Partners included a multinational, nonprofit education think tank (Educational Development Center, Inc.) and a consultant from the Harvard Medical School, who provided qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the project. The project served adult male offenders with sentences of 2 years or less, primarily for offenses related to drug and alcohol abuse. Most were repeat offenders with histories of homelessness and mental illness; 123 offenders were served over the course of the project. The program included both prerelease and postrelease elements. The MAP curriculum evolved from assessments of inmates' interests, abilities, skills, and values. The evaluation showed that all who graduated from MAP achieved employment, and the recidivism rate was only 13 percent after 2 years (measured by new offenses and new sentences).