NCJ Number
207544
Date Published
June 2003
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report describes the features, development, and implementation strategy for North Carolina's new (2003) Department of Corrections Transition/Reentry Work Plan for released inmates.
Abstract
The ultimate goal of the plan is to ensure that offenders are prepared for a successful reintegration into the community. Under the plan, preparation for the transition from prison back into the community begins with a comprehensive assessment at admission, continues through case management during incarceration, and culminates with coordinated reentry to the community. Electronic information-sharing capability enables the Division of Community Corrections and Division of Prisons staff to coordinate case management and release plans. There is a focus on substance-abuse screening and treatment that includes referral to community services to prevent relapse after release. Other features of the plan are inmate instruction in transition planning, vocational training programs that match relevant work assignments and jobs in the community, apprenticeship opportunities on work release, documentation of inmate work performance in referrals to employers, matching eligible offenders with volunteer mentors upon release, and job-placement services for-ex-inmates. Overall, the plan provides for interagency and public-private sector collaboration to develop and reinforce the knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and other competencies that offenders must have to succeed in the community. This report summarizes how the plan was developed and outlines the goals, priorities, and action steps for each stakeholder in implementing the plan. The Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative ("Going Home") is described, as is the Job Preparation for Offenders grant project ("JobStart II"). Appended description of the agency brainstorming exercise