Selected to Participate in Family Justice Initiative
Volunteers in Oklahoma Corrections
Wraparound in Oklahoma Corrections
Director's Comments
It is often said that donating money is easy but donating time is difficult
and more valuable. I guess it depends on what perspective you view time and
money from. Our country is noted for volunteerism. Whether that be the original
volunteer colonial army, international relief efforts, or something as simple
as volunteering to help a friend or family in need, volunteerism is one of
the strengths of our society.
Most think of volunteerism as officially being an approved badge carrying
volunteer for whatever organization you are donating your time with. However,
we are so used to giving of our time, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish
volunteer work from just lending a helping hand. The dictionary defines volunteer
as one who helps or volunteers without expectation of pay or rewards. Therefore,
we are probably volunteering to do something without reward or pay on a daily
basis. Department of Corrections’ employees are renowned for providing
such free assistance. Our work with youth camps, Special Olympics, and a
host of other projects is engrained in our culture.
In corrections we normally think of volunteers from faith based groups since
a majority of our volunteers are in that arena. Components of reentry are now
becoming the focus of many groups who volunteer with us as the country struggles
with over 800,000 offender releases each year from state and federal facilities.
This does not take into account county and local jails. I realize that sometimes
networking with so many volunteer groups requires additional work efforts to
allow them access to facilities and offenders, provide space and to monitor activities.
Everyone is working for the common good of each other and the dividends in improved
offender behavior, families reunited, and the positive effects on many other
areas of a person’s life, justifies the investment.
I recently interviewed the finalists for probation and parole officer of the
year, correctional officer supervisor and correctional officer of the year. It
never ceases to amaze me that every year these finalists always have many causes
they volunteer for. This year was no exception. Volunteerism is a way to serve
that is more self satisfying and also rewarding to those receiving your time,
than anything else you can do. I applaud everyone who gives of their time in
volunteer efforts and it is a pleasure to recognize a few of those efforts in
this edition.
Selected to Participate in Family Justice Initiative -
by Debbie Boyer, SPHR,
Administrator of Quality and Operational Services,
Division of Female Offender Operations
During Fiscal Year 2008, 1,272 female offenders were released. Of these offenders, 60 percent (N=768) were released to probation and parole, and 40 percent (N=504) were released without a requirement for continued supervision.
Female offenders have significant needs upon reentry to society. These needs include:
The Family Justice Initiative will provide significant and welcome support to the agency’s efforts toward improved reentry outcomes. Family Justices utilizes the Bodega Model of family case management which is characterized by:
Oklahoma joins the state of New Mexico as the two states selected to participate
in the Family Justice initiative entitled, “Reentry is Relational:
Sustaining Tools that Engage Family/Social Networks for Improved Reentry
Outcomes.”
Family Justice develops creative initiatives with a wide range of strategic
partners, including government agencies and community- and faith-based
organizations with a strength-based, family-focused approach that results
in better outcomes for people who are involved in the criminal justice
system and their families.
This is not the first time the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has had
the opportunity to partner with Family Justice.
With support of the National Institute of Corrections, the Relational Inquiry
Tool was developed in partnership with state departments of corrections
in Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, as well as the Safer Foundation
in Chicago.
Staff from the Hillside Community Corrections Center, Mabel Bassett Correctional
Center, and several other areas of the agency assisted in the development
and piloting of the Relational Inquiry Tool in 2007.
Additionally, with support of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Family
Justice developed a 10-minute video that highlights how correctional facilities,
probation and parole departments and social service agencies at the state
and local levels are adapting and integrating their strength-based, family
focused tools and methods. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections was recognized
for outstanding adaptation of The Bodega Model.
For this current initiative, staff from the Division of Female Offender
Operations administrative office, Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, and
Central District Community Corrections will join valued community stakeholders
as members of a Diagonal Work Group responsible for working with Family
Justice to achieve the following outcomes:
Staff from the Hillside Community Corrections Center will be participating
in this endeavor as well in order to continue integration of the Relational
Inquiry Tool into their reentry efforts.
Funding for this initiative is provided by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
Family Justice will provide technical assistance and training for agency
staff on the use of the evidence-based Bodega Model, the Relational Inquiry
Tool, and cross-agency collaboration; evaluate the integration of Family
Justice’s methods and tools into staff practices; and provide ongoing
technical assistance to ensure sustainability.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is pleased to partner with Family
Justice on this important endeavor. Additional updates will be provided
as information becomes available.
The Relational Inquiry Tool is designed to:
Margaret diZerega, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Family Justice, will be working with the following members of the Diagonal Work Group:
Probation and Parole News - by Kenny Holloway, Assistant Deputy Director, Community Corrections
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE:
Officer’s Work Yields Significant Results in Oklahoma
Evidence Based Practice(EBP), Evidence Based Supervision (EBS), Research
Based Supervision(RBS); all of these terms refer to a body of knowledge resulting
from an analysis of criminal justice research that has been conducted over
the past thirty plus years. This body of knowledge has produced validated “principles” that
have demonstrated remarkable outcomes with our correctional population. Documented
reduction in recidivism in some populations has exceeded thirty percent.
The long-term goal of evidence based supervision is sustained behavioral
change that results in reduced recidivism.
Oklahoma began implementing these practices in supervision during 2006. Probation
and Parole officers have worked diligently to use tools available to effect
and support behavioral change in the offenders they supervise. Our preliminary
outcome data demonstrates the dedication and tenacity of our officers in
the application of these new skills for successful intervention with offenders.
Since these practices have been implemented, Oklahoma’s revocation
rate for offenders supervised by probation and parole officers has been reduced
by thirty-two percent in the initial year and is trending thirteen percent
for the current fiscal year.
With the application of EBS, Oklahoma established the desired goal of supervision
as increasing successful offender outcomes, thereby reducing recidivism.
Success is measured by decreasing the number of offenders accelerated or
revoked to prison while under supervision.
INTERMEDIATE MEASURES OF PROGRESS
INCLUDE PERCENTAGE OF:
While many of the principles of EBS have previously been identified as components
of “what works,” research has elevated them to a new level due
to determining a “statistical significance” between the use of
the practice and lowered recidivism. All the components of EBS have been
demonstrated as valid practices for the reduction of recidivism in the management
of community based corrections populations.
THE PRINCIPLES OF EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES ARE:
The components of evidence based practice are directed toward identifying
criminogenic risk factors of moderate and high risk offenders and applying
scarce correctional resources to this population. Research documents that
the best results are realized with moderate risk offenders. High risk offenders,
or at least those on the far end of the risk spectrum, are least likely to
benefit from therapeutic interventions. These are the offenders, who, regardless
of supervision techniques and interventions, will eventually re-offend and
return to the criminal justice system. Supervision interventions with this
population, termed life course persistent, are directed toward control and
containment in order to best protect the public. Intervention with low risk
offenders has been shown to be a poor use of correctional resources, and
in many instances, has been documented to increase risk factors of this population.
Through the use of various tools, probation and parole officers work with
targeted offenders in an effort to develop, or enhance, an offender’s
internal motivation to make behavioral changes. To support these major life
changes, officers apply assessment and evaluation results and work with offenders
to identify interventions available in support of changes to move an offender
away from a criminal lifestyle toward desistance.
Oklahoma began using the LSI-R (Level of Services Inventory-Revised) as the
agency’s primary risk assessment tool in early 2000. This is a third
generation risk assessment tool that is administered by officers trained
to incorporate motivational interviewing (MI) techniques in the semi-structured
interview. These techniques enable the officer to better elicit responses
from an offender. MI has also been demonstrated to be an effective tool for
use in brief behavioral interventions with offenders. More specifically,
MI techniques are well suited to help the officer challenge an offender’s
sometimes distorted thinking patterns and engage the offender in examining
behaviors and their impact on not only the offender, but also on those around
him. While the goal of supervision targets changing an offender’s behavior,
the responsibility for that change rests solely with the offender. An officer
can challenge and question, and provide advice and support, but only the
offender can elect to make changes.
Interventions include drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment,
cognitive restructuring programs, anger management programs, and educational
and employment programs. All treatment programs are based on a cognitive
model and target specific risk factors. Risk and need factors of each offender
are different and require varying levels of intervention. Officers must take
this into consideration and work with treatment providers to match each offender
to appropriate programs.
As offenders learn new ways to deal with old behaviors, it is critical that
the opportunity to practice new behaviors is provided; and the new behaviors
are acknowledged and rewarded as appropriate. An offender’s learning
and recognizing triggers, or antecedents, to unhealthy or unlawful behaviors,
allows the offender to implement and practice newly acquired skills that
serve to redirect their actions. Through gaining skills in problem solving,
offenders are provided with tools for better decision making.
Engagement in pro-social activities serves to increase protective factors
and support an offender’s long term behavioral change. Protective factors
are those skills, associates, and learned behaviors that support individual
risk reduction. As with all skills, repeated practice in everyday situations
is critical for supported acquisition and retention.
Since incorporating the principles of evidence based practice, Oklahoma has
seen outcome results not unlike those promised by the research. As noted,
the long term outcome is reduction of risk and an increase in protective
factors. Since this type of evaluation and measurement takes several years
of outcome data, short term and intermediate measures were identified that
would provide an indicator of supervision success. Components for measure
were identified as case status at discharge; employment status, program participation;
and the rate of offenders who abscond supervision.
In order to evaluate ongoing outcomes, a base rate was established by identifying
each of the outcome components for FY’07. Revocations were identified
by the total number of probation and parole offenders who were accelerated
or revoked to prison at the time their supervision was terminated. Table
1 reflects that 3,015 offenders were revoked from community supervision to
a period of incarceration during FY’07.
Revocations were divided into three distinct areas, technical violations
and absconders, new law violations, and revocations by specialty courts.
Revocations are the most critical area for evaluation. Offenders who are
revoked to prison take the most critical correctional resources that should
be reserved for those who pose the greatest risk to the public. Technical
violators are best suited for revocation reduction activities due to sanctioning
alternatives available in managing these offenders. Reduction in the number
of offenders who commit law violations is the most difficult population to
impact. Law violations are committed by all offenders, not just those identified
as high risk. Consistently identifying these offenders prior to the commission
of a new crime is not always possible. Many times, the best result occurs
when officers move quickly to intervene with an offender who has become noncompliant
and with whom intermediate sanctions have not been successful. Probation
and parole officers provide courtesy supervision for many drug courts, DUI
courts, and mental health courts and for some community sentencing councils.
In these specialty courts, failure to comply with strict guidelines often
leads to revocation with few additional options for the participating offenders.
Although lack of employment is not a criminogenic risk factor for all offenders,
stable and satisfying employment provides an offender the opportunity for
developing pro-social relationships that are supportive of a crime-free lifestyle.
Employment serves to provide structure to an offender and can serve as a
basis around which to schedule an offender’s time. Lack of consistent
employment can be correlated to a higher risk for criminal behavior. Due
to this, employment serves as a protective factor for an offender. For the
use of outcome measures, the average employment rate is considered for each
time period, calculated on the monthly average over the year. An offender
for whom employment is not required, such as an individual who is permanently
disabled, is, for the purpose of this measure, considered employed.
Offenders who fail to submit to supervision are classified as absconders.
This classification of offender can be the offender who poses the most risk
to the public (due to failure to comply with supervision directives) or the
offender who simply fades away never to be seen again by the criminal justice
system. Until their status is resolved, their eventual risk cannot be adequately
assessed.
Participation in treatment programs has the greatest potential for risk reduction.
It is in these programs that offenders are exposed to behavioral alternatives
that lead to desistance. Consideration must be given to ensure only offenders
with identified criminogenic risk factors are placed into targeted programs.
Program participation is monitored through rigorous communication between
the offender, the treatment provider, and the supervising officer. Probation
and parole officers have become experts in assessing change readiness which
is the foundation for behavioral change. Baseline treatment participation
is shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2: Treatment Program Participation FY ’07 By Program Type and Number of Offenders Participating
Another critical factor contributing to successful offender outcomes is the
supervision relationship. When an offender perceives the officer to be supportive
in the offender’s change process, outcomes improve. Officers who are “firm
and fair” establish expectations and behavioral parameters that serve
to guide the supervision process by providing the offender a roadmap to success.
Inclusion of the offender in all planning processes is central to improving
desired outcomes.
The base measures for FY’07 are consistent with previous year’s
results before the implementation of evidence based supervision. As officers
began to focus their supervision strategies toward activities that supported
offender behavior change, there has been a continued trend toward meeting
expected and desired goals of supervision.
During the initial year of implementation, officers were able to focus their
supervision activities on moderate and high risk offenders while realigning
low risk offenders to administrative levels of supervision, or by terminating
supervision altogether. Low risk offenders, identified by the LSI-R, were
subject to closure upon completion of the assessment process. For continued
supervision, an officer was required to develop a case plan that would target
offender needs and develop a time line with the offender in which to meet
expectations for completion of supervision. Once those expectations were
met, supervision would be terminated, or if justified, continued for an additional
six months.
By realigning supervision resources to moderate and high-risk offenders,
caseload sizes statewide were reduced. This provides officers more time to
direct their efforts to those offenders most in need of supervision. At the
close of FY’08, the average statewide officer caseload was 76. This
was calculated based on the total number of offenders subject to active supervision,
divided by the total number of officers state-wide.
The intermediate measures indicate a significant reduction in the number
of offenders who were revoked to a prison term from a period of community
supervision. The overall number of revocations was reduced by 975 from
the base measure established from FY’07. This 32% reduction is phenomenal.
Interestingly, it holds steady across the range for technical/absconders
and for new law violations. Specialty courts experienced a 37% reduction
in revocations. Each year, the total percentage of each type of revocation
class remained fairly constant.
Current trending for the fiscal year (through January 2009) indicates the
reduction is continuing with the exception of the specialty courts where
the number of revocations appears to be on the rise (Table 6). Based on the
data available, overall reduction in revocations reached 32% for FY’08
and is currently trending a 13% reduction for the current fiscal year.
While a reduction in the number of offenders revoked to prison is even more
significant in light of the current economic crisis faced by the agency,
it is not necessarily a reflection of long term behavioral change. This measure
is only reflective of the offender’s status at the time of termination
of supervision. Until there is at least three years of data available, the
reduction of individual offender risk cannot be determined. Indicators that
demonstrate movement toward this risk reduction include the other intermediate
measures that have been previously identified: employment and program participation.
Employment rates of offenders increased by 2.95%
from FY’07 to FY’08. For the current year, unfortunately, those
rates are trending a drop of over three quarters of one percent. When considering
the economy and our population, this small drop does not seem too significant
at this point.
Program participation is an indicator as an offender’s active involvement
in the change process. All program areas reflect continuous improvement,
with the exception of assignment to educational programs. While this is
a concern, education is not a criminogenic factor for all offenders and may
not be considered a priority for an offender who is attempting to address
substance abuse or other critical risk factors.
The rate of active absconders from supervision has declined steadily over
the time under review. Before any offender is classified as an absconder,
officers make diligent efforts to locate the offender and return them to
supervision. Absconders from supervision are typically held active by a
felony warrant issued by the agency of jurisdiction. If an offender has
remained an absconder for a lengthy period of time with no new arrests,
many jurisdictions allow the agency to be discharged from the obligation
to continue supervision.
Although preliminary, these results are extremely promising in relation to
our long term outcomes. Officers have demonstrated a dedication to working
with offenders to shape behaviors into more pro-social avenues that are proven
to result in lower rates of recidivism.
Oklahoma is extremely fortunate to have officers and supervisors who exemplify
excellence in all they do. Our officers are committed to engaging offenders
as partners in their supervision in order to provide an opportunity for life
changes that will help lead them to not only lower recidivism rates, but
also to desistance from a criminal lifestyle.
When their efforts are converted to dollars and cents, probation and parole
has diverted $19.6 million of incarceration costs since implementing evidence
based supervision. This is based on a reduction of 1250 offenders revoked
since FY’07 at a daily cost of $43 per day and assuming a term of one
year for each revocation.
The cost savings realized by the state is significant, but are immeasurable
to those citizens who could have been potential victims.
Volunteers in Oklahoma Corrections - by Bob Rubin, DOC Religious Liaison, OK Statewide Jewish Offender Community
Bob Rubin - Uniquely successful in the Southern California film, TV and advertising communities for 25 years, Bob Rubin was recruited to come to Oklahoma in 2002 by a major Indian nation for a year as a media consultant.
At the end of the year, Bob and his wife Paula, an educator, decided to make Oklahoma their home. They photograph, write and publish the very popular Fun Country: OKLAHOMA! Travel Guide, promoting tourism in Southeast Oklahoma, distributed extensively by the state Travel & Tourism Department.
They are both badged DOC religious volunteers, with Bob serving as the statewide liaison for the Oklahoma Jewish offender community.
Volunteers in Corrections:
"If I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?"
Those two questions posed by the renowned rabbinical scholar Hillel, 2000
years ago, comprise the rationale for why I am invested in helping create
a better tomorrow for Oklahoma offenders.
Working closely with wardens and chaplains, I oversee and monitor religious
rights, practices and observances for Jewish offenders at each prison facility,
statewide.
I work in collaboration with two major Jewish prisoner-service organizations:
the Aleph Institute's enormous prison outreach, headed by Rabbi Menachem
Katz, in Surfside, Florida; and Seattle-based JPSI, Jewish Prisoner Services
International, the highly respected advocacy group, led by 2005 Corrections
Industry Chaplain of the Year, Gary Friedman.
I perceive the responsibility I have accepted as being that of the liaison
between Jewish offenders and the often threatening, disorienting and overwhelming
experience of being separated from the only world they have ever known. Incorporating
positive reinforcement, I work to help connect or reconnect those willing
to grow and open to change, with the tradition, richness and values of Judaism.
I represent our state's Jewish community on the Oklahoma Corrections Advisory
Council on Inmate Religious Rights and Practices, serving as its vice chair.
This is where many of us, representing both the major and minority faiths
are able to share and work through our mutual challenges. It is indeed important
for those of us of faith to support each other. A valuable seat on this council
of mostly ordained clergy members, utilizing the top-notch seasoning and
vital perspective of DOC Chaplain Leo Brown, enables us to do so, while providing
much-needed input, ideas and advice directly to the DOC.
Along with the loyal dedication and hard work of prison chaplains, the many
committed prison staff members and other DOC employees, there are 4,500 religious
volunteers in Oklahoma's prisons, each doing his or her part to help get
and keep offenders on an ethical road to a better future, filled with values,
standards and positive behavior. There is, however, great room for growth
and improvement, which accompanies the crucial need for moral and character
development.
Technological effectiveness is the empowerment parolees must have. Eighty
percent of those incarcerated today will, at some point, become our neighbors –– mine
and yours. Would it not be wise to see that ex-offenders have truly learned
right from wrong, and are values-driven, strongly committed to practicing
their faith, drug-free, degreed, skilled, prepared, capable, self-confident
and employable the very day they are released?
We need to regard –– not foolishly lock up and ignore –– these
men and women. Indeed, they are there to be punished, but why does that mean
warehoused, dumbed-down and distanced from education?
There are certainly key religious concerns, as well. As Jews, we know that
Judaism does not offer the only way to the "world to come," nor
offer the only path to salvation, nor do we make any attempt to convert others
to Judaism. Uniquely, there are many offenders who claim to be, want to be
or seem to wish they were Jewish. Practicing Judaism does not make one Jewish,
nor does attending Jewish prayer services or learning sessions, or eating
kosher food. Jews retain the right to determine who is a Jew. Simply speaking,
being born of Jewish parentage or converting via the challenging, lengthy
conversion process are the only two ways that one becomes a Jew.
We find it most beneficial if Jewish offenders learn about Judaism from a
Jew. This is not always easy. With relatively so few Jews in Oklahoma, unfortunately,
even most of its 3.5 million residents only learn about Judaism from a Christian
perspective. It is no wonder there is so much misunderstanding of Judaism.
Though there are relatively few Jewish offenders at any one prison, perhaps
only a couple dozen total, statewide, it seems there are constantly well-intentioned
folks from other faith groups who find it necessary for Jews to convert to
THEIR faith, instead of encouraging Jewish offenders to excel as observant
members of their Jewish faith.
Discrimination toward offenders of various minority faiths and denominations
is prevalent in our prisons, and it remains one of our biggest challenges.
Whether those be of Native American religions, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews or
those of so many other belief systems –– as Jews, we respect
all other recognized religious faiths, particularly, their right to practice
those faiths.
Oklahoma's bright, capable prison chaplains –– who do their best
to be fair to offenders of all faiths –– are usually well-trained
in the Protestant denominations. Thus, they are not always as knowledgeable
as we, or they themselves, wish they were about the minority religions or
denominations. That is certainly an area where we, as volunteers, can make
a valuable contribution. All of us, who are part of these smaller groups,
want to be regarded in even-handed fashion, whether inside or outside of
the institution walls and electronic fencing. To me, my commitment in the
Oklahoma corrections system is all about four words: No Jew Left Behind.
Religious faith is not just about belief; no one is exempt from focusing
on doing the right thing, even doing it with the folks who have done some
terribly wrong things. I believe putting back –– volunteerism –– is
a key ingredient for a better tomorrow, in every Oklahoma city and town.
Every American can find a couple hours a week, take the spotlight off ourselves
and help elevate someone else, if they really want to. It feels good to do
the right thing, reaching out with a hand up.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program (RiP)
“We are dedicated to enriching the lives of our citizens in the hopes
that one day they can fulfill their dreams and put their past behind them
by creating a brighter tomorrow through a positive today.”
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reintegration Program is under the Division
of Human Development designed to assist Creek Citizens who have been incarcerated
make the transition back into society. The program’s objective is
to make our neighborhoods and communities safer by providing alternative
opportunities for ex-offenders to become a productive citizen and to decrease
offender recidivism. Services offered through the RiP include setting up
housing, job advocacy, food assistance, clothing assistance, referrals
to behavioral health, substance abuse and medical agencies as the need
requires. Pre-release applicants may be advocated for at their parole or
court hearing. Each client is assessed and an individual “Reintegration
Aftercare Plan” (RAP) is established to meet the client’s personal
needs. Seminars are presented at correctional facilities geared toward
getting the client ready for life upon their release from prison. Seminars
cover topics concerning character building, stress solutions, identity
resolutions, job skills, reintegration techniques and educational options.
Speak-out tours are designed for juveniles as a preventive measure to deter
bad behaviors and law violations. Speak-out tours will be conducted at
area schools, detention centers and shelters. Eligibility requirements
consist of the applicant being a Creek Citizen, currently or previously
incarcerated in an in-state penal institution under the Department of Corrections
custody and willing to or residing within the Creek Nation boundaries.
Applicants must be two (2) years post release or eighteen (18) months pre-release.
The program is open to male and female, adult and juvenile applicants.
R I P GOALS:
CONTACT INFORMATION:
112 West Gentry
Henryetta, OK 74437
Tony Fish, Program Coordinator
Cell Phone (918) 637-7404
E-MAIL mcn_fish@sbcglobal.net
OFFICE CONTACT NUMBERS:
TOLL FREE 1-800-259-1059
LOCAL (918) 652-2676
(918) 652-2677
FAX (918) 652-2678
RiP PROGRAM
The RiP program is vital in the efforts of successful reintegration and transition
assistance. We are a tribally funded program geared towards providing Creek
citizens who have been incarcerated or soon to be released the opportunity
to benefit from our services. To be eligible for services, certain criteria
must be met.
Those elements are:
In Partnership with Community resources and other Tribal service programs
such as Social Services, Food Distribution, Vocational Rehabilitation and
Behavioral Health, we strive to come together as one to reduce recidivism,
rebuild hope, strengthen individual skills and rekindle the spirit of those
that deserve second chances.
STEPS of RiP:
SERVICES PROVIDED:
SEMINARS
The “Count Down To Re-Entry” Seminar series include sessions
titled: Reintegration Techniques, Character Building, Stress Solutions, Job
Skills, Identity Resolutions, and Educational Options. Institutions, Facilities
and Centers are encouraged to request booking.
SPEAK OUT TOURS
The “Speak Out” Tours are focused on Mentorship, Educational
Counseling, Faith-Based Initiatives, Out-Reach and Preventative Measures.
These tours are committed to social, political, and cultural diversity issues
among juveniles and their peers. “Speak Out” encourages critical
and problem solving solutions to prevent crime and gang participation. These
tours are conducted at public schools, juvenile service units, training schools,
shelters, and detention centers. These facilities are encouraged to request
booking. For a detailed outline of each series and scheduling, please contact
the RiP Program Coordinator.
SELF-ENHANCEMENT TUTORIALS
These tutorials are designed primarily to fit the individual with total focus
on the client’s weaknesses. Tutorials increase awareness and knowledge
which improve self-enhancement skills. Tutorials cover subjects like: Anger
Management, Parenting, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Teenage Violence,
Employment and Educational Options.
WHY I BECAME A VOLUNTEER - by David Collins, ex-offender
Ever since I was thirteen years old I have been in trouble, I went to a
juvenile institution a few times. Then when I was seventeen years old I went
to prison; got out, went back at age nineteen; got out, went back at twenty-four;
got out, when I was twenty-eight. Then I went back to prison when I was
forty-three. All my life I never had God in my life, and was strung out
on drugs and was an alcoholic.
When I went to jail in 2004, I talked to someone in jail about God, and we
started going to Bible studies. When I went to prison on January 8, 2005,
I went forward and got Baptized. After that I have hungered and thirsted
for the Lord. I came to Oklahoma City to OKCCC in March of 2006, and started
going to Redemption Church. At this church I grew in faith and really learned
a lot about Jesus. I have been coming to Wednesday night Bible study for
over two and a half years, and services twice a week for three years now.
I got out of prison on February 4, 2009. I met a good woman about a year
ago at this church, and we started seeing each other regularly. She has been
out of prison for about ten months, and we both keep coming to church here
to grow in faith with God and we pray together, go to Bible study and services
together.
We both are growing Christians and we decided to get married on March 15.
God has really blessed our marriage and our lives. We both have good jobs
and I have been clean and sober for over four and a half years.
God has brought peace into my life and within me, and we both love Jesus
with all of our hearts. God showed me what real love is, and has changed
my life completely. So even though I am out of prison I still come to church.
The people at Redemption Church didn’t care what I did in the past.
They accepted me and they have shown me God’s love. It feels good to
have real family in my life and that is what this church is to me. It is
my family. I thank God for this church and I hope others come and learn that
God is real and that there are people who really care about them. Redemption
Church helped bring me to the light of who Jesus Christ is.
WHY I BECAME
A VOLUNTEER -
by Brian Johnson, ex-offender
Self centered, egotistical, envious….just a few of the adjectives
that can describe the way I lived my life before I came to know Christ.
The times I spent in prison, twice in Oklahoma and the last time on a parole
violation, is what it took for me to get it through my head that there had
to be a better way to live life to the fullest without doing it on society’s
dime, in a jail cell.
I made my mind up at James Crabtree that I was not going back to prison when
I got out this time, but I needed a plan. I was willing to do whatever I
needed to do, but what?
I found my way to the chapel. It didn’t take long for me to get the
right idea when I started seeing all these free world people giving up their
time to come to prison. I had no idea that there were people that thought
we, the drudges of society, were worth their time. That I was worth something
was the first thing that they were telling me. It was an alien concept to
me, because for so long I lived with the idea that I was destined to be what
I was. The adjectives at the beginning are not me anymore.
I was lucky to have found two loving people that took me, and a whole lot
of others into their arms. Mentored me, showing me that there was and is
another way.
The giving of one’s self is love. I came to Redemption Church about
four and a half years ago. I saw the importance of giving back freely what
had been given to me; love. I feel that it is important for me, an ex-convict,
to show those that are still incarcerated that there is a new and better
way. I know what it is like to be in both places, and where I am now is so
much better.
I want the inmates that come to Redemption Church to see me and to know that
it is possible to live a normal productive life. I lead by example.
I am not the same person that I was described as at the start of this. I
am honest, loving, giving, and caring. This is my life now. If I am not at
home or work I’m giving myself freely doing volunteer work here at
Redemption Church, because I know in my heart that this place of love and
understanding helps people make over their lives, to become productive members
of society and not a burden.
Redemption Church has made a difference in my way of life and the lives of
countless others. I am now a badged volunteer for the Department of Corrections,
I have been for several years, and it is a privilege and honor for me to
serve in this capacity.
People trust me, that is something that I cannot remember having, it’s
a wonderful feeling.
My Experience as a Volunteer -
by Andrea Alexander, Case Manager,
Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Initially, when I accepted the job offer of case manager I truly believed
I was only going to conduct groups, do some individual counseling, that it
would be in the “free world,” and the clients would all be Muscogee
(Creek). Well, you can imagine after three years, how this has not been the
case; what an eye opener this job has been and continues to be. I would say
the biggest challenge has been the concept of Reentry. For instance, when
we are conducting an informational seminar, you can see on the faces of the
offender, even the Department of Corrections (DOC) staff, the hesitation
and the disbelief. That a tribe would even come to the prison; offer some
information, offer resources for when they hit the “free world.” Classically,
this is a population that has been forgotten, that whole “lock them
up and throw the key away” is just not working. Reentry is all new
for the offender, it is inconceivable to think, much less believe that outside
that fence, that gate, that, yes, there are options other than coming back
to prison.
Although it has been challenging and it is also very rewarding, I would say
I love my job, and the work I do, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation for their support
in letting their Citizens know, they matter. Native Americans as a whole,
are a giving, kind people, so Reentry, wraparound modeling, peace circles
are not a new concept for us. This program has afforded me opportunities
to speak with these men and ladies, to actually hear their stories and to
allow them the opportunity for both growth and hope. Do you remember that
feeling at Christmas time, that whole anticipation of not knowing what you
were going to get, how many presents you were going to receive or even if
you were the recipient of the “Dirty Santa” gift? All that, can
for me be equated to the “joys” I receive in the work we do with
DOC. As stated earlier, when we conduct our information seminars, or even
the recovery group, I do not know what is going to happen, I don’t
know who will attend, and, of course, if they will be receptive to the information.
That anticipation is there, that relief when it is done, but not a relief
it is over, the relief that we were able, for a moment, allowing these people
an opportunity for a venue, a forum for them to get their questions answered,
also an opportunity for self reflection. Now, I look at it in the way of “service
payback,” by spreading the recovery and reentry message, it is safe
to say or write that all in all, the greatest joy is to be allowed the opportunities
to do what I do. People change, business is not 100% guaranteed, but I know
I have given 100% in my effort to do my job well.
Why I Became A Volunteer - by Fredo S. Anderson, Case Manager, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Being a volunteer helps the inmate have some hope that there are people
who care about their future, even the ones who are serving long sentences.
This also helps the ones who never have anyone who come to visit them. They
need someone to visit with and give them hope. I have volunteered for many
years and have enjoyed every year that I have volunteered. This gives the
long-term inmates whether they are males of females someone to talk to and
give them hope.
The time I spend with inmates is rewarding for me. Out of the Eddie Warrior
Correctional Center at Taft, OK, I was voted Volunteer of the Year in 1999.
The warden at the time was Ms. Debbie Mahaffey. I am still volunteering and
will continue to volunteer as long as I can.
My Experience as a Volunteer - by Tony Fish, Reintegration Manager, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
I have enjoyed my work as a volunteer immensely. I never would have guessed
my life path would have taken the route it has, straight through the Oklahoma
Department of Corrections. Early on, my thoughts of helping prisoners was
somewhat obscured to say the least. My position was that they did it to themselves,
I had no empathy for them and no regard for their future. As a paid employee
in the private prison sector, I began to have a paradigm shift. I began to
realize that these prisoners were actually people with real feelings and
a desire to change and for the most part succeed. This evolution made me
realize that my calling was on the other side of the fence. Doors began to
open for me and I was placed in an administrative role to help the people
I used to shun. Though I have faced many challenges, the reward of seeing
someone get out, become the father, brother, husband, wife or sister they
are capable of is immeasurable. I look forward to the opportunities that
await me, and embrace the challenges to come as a D.O.C. Volunteer.
Wraparound
in Oklahoma Corrections
Beginning in December of 2004, Oklahoma Corrections became the first correctional system in the nation to use Wraparound with high-risk adult offenders in order to reduce recidivism; wraparound was originated as a process for working with children.
Dr. John VanDenBerg, a pioneer in the development of the wraparound process,
conducted the training for wraparound facilitators called transition coordinators.
Transition coordinators are trained in the wraparound process, a highly individualized,
strength-focused and family centered philosophy of care, and utilize the
model in accordance with national standards. Transition coordinators work
with the offender to identify the strengths, needs and culture of the offender
and to develop a wraparound team using natural supports, community volunteers
and professional service providers. Transition coordinators guide the wraparound
team to develop a transition “wraparound” plan based on the identified
individual strengths, needs, goals and limitations of the offender.
This innovative process organizes resources to improve the lives of discharging
offenders and their families by enlisting the collaboration and support of
the community. Offenders typically have no support systems or unhealthy ones
which are detrimental to living a crime free life. Their supports generally
helped them get to prison in the first place. Because discharging offenders
have many complex needs which they are often ill equipped to deal with on
their own, those who have used traditional services may find wraparound a
helpful process in meeting their individual and specific needs so they can
achieve successful reentry into the community. The wraparound process is
voluntary for offenders; no one is mandated to participate.
The wraparound process begins with engagement when the transition coordinator
first makes contact with the offender. Engagement continues throughout the
process and will include the offender’s family and additional team
members. It is a vital step and sets the tone for the entire process; developing
an ongoing rapport with the offender and his family based on trust and support.
Engagement is accomplished through conversational style meetings during which
the transition coordinator solicits enough trust from the offender and family
to engage them in the process. The conversations may result in the early
identification of primary needs and goals for both the family and the offender.
Active listening skills are a critical tool for transition coordinators to
possess.
These conversations will also result in producing a multi-page document containing
key information about the offender and family’s strengths, needs, culture
and vision for the future; this document is called a Strengths, Needs, Culture
and Vision Discovery (SNCVD). The purpose of the SNCVD is to support a highly
individualized wraparound plan ensuring that it fits the unique needs of
the offender and family and permits the plan to include strength based options
that reflect the culture of the family.
The SNCVD helps ensure the wraparound plan is strength based as opposed to
deficit based; it ensures that what goes into the plan is designed to address
the offender’s specific needs rather than readymade services that look
good in a plan but leave the real needs unaddressed and the offender at-risk.
Transition coordinators identify characteristics and resources the offender
has that have been successful in the past and that can be used in the plan
to accomplish a successful transition into the community. The offender identifies
his needs and what he thinks he needs in order to have a better life, however
the transition coordinator, through review of all assessment information,
will determine what areas of need must be addressed. The offender’s
choice of needs maintains the wraparound principle of “Voice and Choice” except
when the offender has mental health, medical or substance abuse issues.
The SNCVD also contains information indicating the offender’s family
culture; the informal rules and structures of how his family operates. This
will ensure the wraparound plan looks and feels like his family, increasing
the probability that he will use the plan. A culturally competent wraparound
plan is more likely to gain ownership and participation from the offender
and his family.
One of the unique and key characteristics of the wraparound process is that
the Wraparound Plan is developed by the offender and a family centered team.
The team is selected by the offender and the transition coordinator and consists
of four to six people who care for and know the offender and family best.
The SNCVD helps surrogate family members, volunteers who act as family members
when traditional family are unavailable, community supports and professionals
to know and understand the offender in such a way that they are able to effectively
offer genuine care and support. Friends, family, neighbors, faith-based community
members, and professional service providers can all be included on the team.
Once the team is established, team members meet with the offender on a regular
basis and assist the offender in developing the wraparound plan. They aid
the offender in crisis planning, help coordinate the offender’s access
to resources, support the offender as he implements the plan, and provide
unconditional care. Wraparound teams become committed to the offender, as
a family member, continuing long term support after formal services are complete.
Wraparound team meetings foster trust and mutual respect while the team works
with the offender on developing his wraparound plan. Transition coordinators
initially act as the meeting facilitator and the guardian of the offender’s
plan. Eventually a family member or the offender himself will become the
team facilitator. Because wraparound is based on offender “Voice and
Choice,” the offender always has the final decision when it comes to
the specifics of his plan. It is also critical to team cohesiveness and trust
that each member and the offender work to ensure that everyone feels heard
and that the options chosen have a reasonable chance of being met.
Team meetings are held both pre-release and post-release. Pre-release team
meetings are held at least two months before release and often earlier. The
earlier team meetings begin, the more team meetings can be held, which ensures
a more detailed and useful wraparound plan. Post release team meetings are
held as quickly after release as can be arranged and take place several times
during the first year following release; it is at this time that a team member
will take over as facilitator, pledging to maintain the fidelity of the team
and the plan.
Team meetings are often videotaped for supervisory benefits of transition
coordinators and to help them to hone their wraparound and team leading skills.
Strong leadership skills are needed to help quality teams develop and flourish
even when conditions are not optimal. For example, when team members are
unable to physically attend a team meeting, technology is used to help them
attend. A member can attend by use of a speakerphone, conference call or
interactive television.
Possible problems that the offender could face in the implementation of the
wraparound plan are discussed with the offender and his team. A functional
assessment is completed; a document that assists the offender and team in
discovering the offender’s probable behaviors that could threaten his
potential for success. The functional assessment answers the questions: what
behaviors have gotten the offender into trouble in the past; what happens
before, during and after the behavior; when does the behavior not occur;
what need or needs does the behavior address; and what are some alternative
behaviors that the offender can use to effectively deal with those same needs.
The wraparound team also helps the offender develop a crisis/safety plan.
The safety plan addresses the behaviors that could cause the offender to
get into trouble after release. Strengths that the offender has and that
he can use to deal with his potential trouble causing behaviors are discussed.
A plan for which one of the team members will take what specific action and
when that action will be taken are detailed for three different occasions;
before the behavior (prevention), once the behavior starts and finally intervention
during the behavior. Fundamental to the wraparound process is the foundation
principle that the wraparound team has persistent commitment to seeing the
process through to the end; they never give up.
Wraparound assists the offender in building meaningful and healthy support
systems in the community so they will be less likely to gravitate back to
the unhealthy systems that would, more than likely land them back in prison
with new crimes and new victims. Transition coordinators assist the offender
in joining with their team and community members in order to agree upon a
vision and strategic plan for supporting the offender as he reenters the
community.
A typical scenario that will dramatize the process is as follows. An offender
discharges from prison and will be on probation. Being on probation means
he will have scheduled meetings with a probation officer and certain obligations
and expectations to meet due to his probation. This same offender might have
a chemical abuse issue and is need of, at the very least, a support group
to stay clean and sober. He might also have small children who are involved
with Department of Human Services (DHS) and will have to meet with their
caseworkers on a regular basis to keep his children at home and doing well.
He must also maintain a residence, something that is not easy for a discharging
offender, he needs a job and will have to keep his new boss satisfied. He
might also have a wife or girlfriend and possibly other people who are or
will be an integral part of his life.
What often happens, not intentionally, but it happens, is that the probation
officer’s requirements might conflict with the new employer’s
needs. The DHS worker’s conditions and actions to help the family might
conflict with the chemical abuse counselor’s efforts to support the
ex-offender and they all tend to make the wife feel second-class.
The wraparound process gets all of these people, who are important to the
offender, together to develop one plan to meet all the needs. One plan that
meets the needs of the offender; needs such as housing, employment, counseling,
getting a driver’s license and paying fines, and also helps the probation
officer, the DHS worker, the new employer, the apartment manager, the chemical
abuse counselor and the wife and his children to work together helping the
offender and themselves.
VALUES:
The success of wraparound is founded upon several values and principles which
must be an integral part of the process for each individual offender and
his family. Adherence to these values is essential to the effective and
successful execution of the process.
IN CONCLUSION, the wraparound process is implemented with the involvement
of those people who are important to the offender. It improves the lives
of offenders by building on their strengths. It encourages and gives them
an individualized and specific plan for them to make helpful, caring connections
in the community. The process ensures that services are focused on the needs
of the individual and his family.
Offenders identified as high risk are eligible for participation in the process
if they score a Moderate-High LSI-R score of 25-35 or have been incarcerated
for more than ten years. The offender must be ineligible for community security
and must have been incarcerated for more than one year including jail time.
Unit and facility staff at assigned facilities may refer offenders who meet
the criteria for wraparound to a transition coordinator. A transition coordinator
will review the offender’s eligibility and reply in writing with an
approval or reason for denial. Normally, transition coordinators will request
a list of possible eligible offenders from the facilities to which they are
assigned and review files and interview offenders to determine if the offender
is a good candidate for the wraparound process. Transition coordinators are
located in the communities where their caseloads are returning; Tulsa, Oklahoma
City, and Southeast Oklahoma. One transition coordinator works specifically
with female offenders who might be returning to communities around the state.
(It is important to note that throughout this article the “he” and “him” have
been used for simplicity. Female offenders like their male counterparts can
volunteer and participate in the wraparound process.)
It takes dedicated volunteers in the community to help the wraparound process
be successful. You could become a wraparound support volunteer today and
help make the difference of a lifetime for someone in need of support. Interested?
Contact the Programs Unit Reentry Manager at (405) 962-6165.
Adult Offender Wraparound is making a difference in recidivism in Oklahoma.
Both quantitative and qualitative data are being collected that will demonstrate
the cost effectiveness of this innovative process.
