The Beekeeper Reentry Program - An Innovative Approach to Reducing Recidivism

Legal Name and Project Title: Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia -  Success For Life Reentry Program

Geographic Location: Southwest Georgia – Albany, Georgia (Project Location)

Category 2: Improving Vocational and Employment Services

Summary: Despite many initiatives to improve the reentry system, Georgia’s recidivism rate among individuals released from prison is around 30%. With support from the Georgia Department of Corrections and other, Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia has a goal to reduce recidivism rates by at least 25% among target participants by providing career training,  for 102 reentering adults at highest risk for reoffending in 14 Southwest Georgia Counties.  The primary objective is to improve employment services and connections by implementing job readiness assessments, individualized case plans and employment related services that will result in improved employability skills, employment attainment and retention.   

Primary Activities: 1) Development of an action plan approved by BJA during the planning phase; 2) Establish career training program guided by labor market needs for reentering adults;

3) Continually assess local demand in the target areas and adjust education and employment goals as necessary; 4) Conduct pre and post release career planning; 5) Develop partnerships with local employers; 6) Subsidize wages as part of training program; 6) Provide transitional services to assist in the reintegration of participants; 8) Provide training opportunities for partners; 9) Track performance data; and 10) and Submit a final evaluation report.

Outcome Deliverables: 1. Reduce recidivism by 25% among participants; 2. Improve access to transitional services among 75% of clients needing service; 3. Coordinate access to housing assistance to at least 60% of eligible participants; 4. At least 60% of eligible participants enrolled in GED/Vocational; 5. At least 50% of participants will obtain employment; 6. At least 30% of clients receive mentoring support; and 7. At least 70% complete at least 75% of program curricula.

Service Area: Referred to as SOWEGA, Southwest Georgia is comprised of 14 counties - Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell Thomas and Worth. With a population of 358,571, the area has historically been the poorest region of the state for the past 20 years with a high rate of family poverty. The average poverty rate of 43.8% in the target counties is 56% higher than the state rate of 28.1%. SOWEGA has struggled with high rates of unemployment too. More than half the counties in SOWEGA have unemployment rates higher than the state average. The average unemployment rate in the target counties is 11% higher than the state.

 
Benefits: Successful reentry begins with the offender.  As barriers are reduced in the community that account for many prison returns, public safety is enhanced and avenues are opened for the offender to reform. In this manner, from the offender to tax-paying citizens, we all benefit from helping offenders reintegrate to their communities safely.