Transition from Prison to the Community/Transition Model Initiative

ARC Presentation

May 14, 2015

Presenters: Dan Chesnut, DOC

Gordon Swensen, USOR

Presenters:

Dan Chesnut- Assistant Regional Administrator/Region 3

Director- Bonneville Utah Department of Corrections (UDC)

Gordon Swensen, Director of Strategic Alliances and Initiatives

Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)

Scope and Nature of Transition

• 698,000 in 2005 from prison to the community.

• Projected that 67% will be re-arrested.

• 46.9% will be convicted of a crime.

• 51.8% will be returned to prison.

• In 2008 Pew Center reported 1 in 100 adults was behind bars.

• Total state expenditure is $52 billion(April 2011).

• 2004 – 2007 Utah’s recidivism rate was 53.7%

Successful Offender Transition as a Public Safety Issue

• Successful transition promotes public safety.

• Changing expectation for correctional agencies.

• No longer just housing “inmates.”

Outcomes of Successful Transition

• Equipping offenders during and after incarceration for law-abiding release.

• Fewer victims

• Lower correctional costs

• Healthier communities

Traditional Roles

• Correctional systems are fragmented:• Separate areas of expertise

• Information sharing

• Custody staff are focused on institutional practice

• Community supervision is focused on post release

Barriers to Transition for Offenders

• Up to 1/3 of adult offenders have a diagnosable mental illness and don’t receive services.

• Up to 75% of adult offenders have substance abuse problems, but only 10% receive treatment.

• 60 – 75% with mental disorders have co-occurring issues.

Barriers to Transition for Offenders

• 40 % of released offenders do not have a GED or diploma.

• Only 1/3 of inmates receive vocational training while incarcerated.

• 55% of inmates have children under the age of 18.

Strategic Partnerships

• Common interests among agencies because of shared clients.

• Collaboration

• Importance of joint planning.

• Resource sharing

Historical Context

• Early 20th century focused on re-habilitation.

• By the 70’s faith in re-habilitation was diminishing.

• Studies concluded “nothing worked.”

• Crime rates began to rise

• The public began to demand tougher sentencing.

• Determinate sentencing - 1980 – 1990’s

Historical Context cont’

• Build larger prisons

• Re-habilitation was not emphasized.

• Community corrections also focused on monitoring and enforcement.

• ISP caseloads

New Century (2000)

• Increase in offenders being released

• Higher proportion being returned to prison

• Rising correctional budgets brought focus to transition

• Research shows that EBP in transition are successful

• NIC creates the TPC model

Goals of the TPC model

• Assist jurisdictions to make systemic change:• “Reduce recidivism among

transitioning offenders.”

• “Reduce future victimization.”

• “Enhance public safety.”

• “Improve the lives of communities, victims, and offenders.”

Utah TMI Model Goal

The overarching goals of the TMI are for all criminal justice involved clients/offenders, county, state or federal from intake through release to remain arrest free over the long haul, and to become competent and self-sufficient members of their community.

Utah TMI Objectives

• To promote public safety by reducing the threat of harm to persons and their property by released offenders in the communities to which they return.

• To increase the success rates of offenders who transition from prison by fostering:• Effective Risk Management and Treatment

Programming

• Offender Accountability

• Community Participation

Challenges for Transition

• Lack of focus on offender success as a desired outcome.

• Lack of consensus that transition should begin at admission to prison and extend through dis-charge.

• Extreme fragmentation within agencies managing transition.

• Lack of empirically based assessments at appropriate times in process.

• Lack of offender programs/interventions

Premises of TMI

• Corrections, law enforcement, human service agencies and community partners are stakeholders in the transition process.

• Stakeholders should share information.

• Transition should be built upon evidence-based best practices.

• Transition reform should be affordable, transferable, and adaptable.

• Transition practice should apply to all imprisoned offenders.

• Allocation of resources for programming, supervision and services will vary with level of risk posed.

Four Transition Authorities

• Corrections Authority (DIO, IPD and UCI)

• Supervision Authority (AP & P)

• Allied Agencies (VR, DWS, Housing, Health, Education, etc.)

• Community Partners (faith-based, private nonprofit, volunteers, etc.)

A Greater Vision Through TMI

“Over the long haul, these partnerships will build broader political support for

transition reform by engaging state and local officials, agency leaders, community

leaders, crime victims, faith-based and non-profit organizations, and offenders

and their families.”

(From TPC Reentry Handbook, NIC)

Elements of the Transition Process

• A. Assessment and Classification

• Classification and reclassification

• Case planning and management

• Release decision making

• Community supervision and services

• Revocation decision making

• Discharge from supervision or sentence

Three Principles Within TMI Model

• The Risk Principle: (predictability factors):• Age at first conviction

• Number of prior convictions

• Prior behavior during confinement

• Severity of prior criminal convictions

• History of childhood abuse and neglect

• History of substance abuse

• History of education, employment, family and social failures

TMI Principles (Continued)

• The Need Principle: (Effective treatment leads to lowered recidivism). Risk Factors Include:• Anti-social attitudes, values and beliefs

• Anti-social peers and associations

• Substance abuse

• Educational deficiencies

• Mental health problems

• Life skills and social skill deficiencies

• Characterological defects (anger, aggression, impulsivity, etc.)

TMI Principles (Continued)

• The Responsivity Principle: (The delivery of treatment programs are based on identified risk factors and the individual offender’s:• Learning abilities and style

• Motivation to change

• Personality type

• Level of interpersonal and communication skills

Elements of Transition Process (Continued)

B.The Transition Accountability Plan (TAP)- Based on the following concerns:

Accountability

Public Safety

Restoration/Restitution

Treatment

Success

The TAP Process

• Starts During an Offender’s Classification and Admission to Prison Until Discharge in the Community

• TAP Defines the Programs or Interventions Needed to Modify Risk Factors of the Offender

• Sensitivity to Public Safety Requirements and Availability of Services

• Appropriate Partners Participate in the Development and Implementation of the TAP

• Each TAP Defines Responsibilities of All Stakeholders (including Offenders)

• TAP Becomes a Long-term Road Map for Services and Activities

• A Case Management Process Used to Arrange, Advocate, Coordinate, and Monitor Services for Each Offender

The TAP Process (continued)

• Each TAP Defines Responsibilities of All Stakeholders (including Offenders)

• TAP Becomes a Long-term Road Map for Services and Activities

• A Case Management Process Used to Arrange, Advocate, Coordinate, and Monitor Services for Each Offender

Four Phases of Offender Movement

• Institutional Phase

• The Reentry Phase

• The Community Phase

• The Discharge Phase

Elements of the TAP Process (Continued)

C.Release

D.Supervision and Services

E.Responses to Adjustment and Achievements on Supervision

F.Discharge from Supervision

G.Aftercare and Community Services

Implementing the TMI

• Partnerships:

• Identify stakeholder’s common and specific interests

• Articulate a common vision for transition

• Identify problems with existing policies and practices that need correction

• Plan improvements and monitor implementation

• Regular and continuing communication among stakeholders

• Implement policies and procedures that expedite information flow and minimize barriers for offenders

Oversight of the TMI Model in Utah

Executive Group

Transition Model Committees

Dan Chesnut – Utah Department of CorrectionsGordon Swensen - Utah State Office of RehabilitationAllison Ashment – Federal Defenders OfficeLarry Bussio – Utah Department of CorrectionsJared Beers – Utah Department of CorrectionsSteve Gehrke- Utah Department of Corrections

TMI Leadership Team Members

TMI Committees

Community Support Network

Education and Employment

Federal Probation

Housing

Mental Health

TMI Committees (continued)

Multi-Cultural Groups

Policy Implementation and Reform

Restorative Justice

Substance Abuse Treatment Program Transition

TMI Committees (continued)

Sex Offender Transition

Treatment Resource Centers

Transition Assessment

UDC Probation

Volunteer Support

Final Thoughts and Questions