Reducing Recidivism Through Reentry Services

ABSTRACT

Recovery Point West Virginia (RPWV) is proposing a Second Chance Reentry Program in partnership with the WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) and the Kanawha Institute for Social Research and Action, Inc. (KISRA)  The Second Chance Reentry Program will provide a case management focused, culturally competent, trauma informed reentry program with three phases of services. 

Pre-release services (up to 90 days before scheduled release) will include a baseline Level of Service Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) which predicts recidivism and identifies criminogenic needs. Pre-release specialists will work with program participants to assess reentry needs of each individual, and engage in goal setting activities in coordination with the Second Chance Case Manager. 
Post-release services (up to 3 months) will include continued Case Management and added Peer Recovery Support Specialists to assist participants to secure housing and begin implementing their individualized reentry action plan. All participants will undergo behavioral health assessments and recommendations for any substance use disorder (SUD) or co-occurring mental health illness and engage in an intensive 2-4 week program to create a solid foundation for further reentry success.  RPWV will provide residential recovery housing for those in recovery with substance use disorder up to 6 months. 
Stability services (3-6 months) will step up the responsibility of the participants with ongoing case management and peer recovery, to complete reentry goals such as employment, budgeting, transportation, and permanent housing, to demonstrate increased stability and independence. Program staff will mediate and advocate on behalf of the client to address stigma related barriers to housing and/or employment. Services will be phase out over time.  SUD Recovery support will continue through other RPWV programming. 

The target population for RPWV Second Chance Reentry Program is incarcerated males ages 18-45 with a history of SUD or co-occurring mental illness who score in the low to medium range of recidivism risk on the LS/CMI with a desire to be discharged to Cabell, Kanawha or Raleigh Counties in WV. 

RPWV will implement Priority 1A&B by promoting racial equity and the removal of barriers to access and opportunities for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality. Specifically, this project will provide assistance to Appalachian African Americans living in West Virginia.  Further details can be found on pages 13 and 17 of the Project Narrative.  KISRA is a culturally specific organization and will receive 30% of the awarded funds ($225,000 over three years) as a partner providing direct services and an active member of the Reentry Team.  RPWV will also address program Priority 2A by implementing activities that have been demonstrated effective in facilitating the successful reentry of individuals who have been incarcerated including (Case Management and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), however, priority 2B will not be met.

Deliverables will be an action plan developed with input from BJA and the assigned TTA provider, to be submitted within 6 months of a final budget approval, as well as a final performance report at the end of the project period.