MONTGOMERY- In April of 2007, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen announced a new Reentry Program designed to help inmates adjust to life outside of prison, and thereby reduce the overall recidivism rate. During the last ten months, ADOC has been actively involved with the development of this statewide reentry model, with further goals intended to encourage public safety in our communities, address public health and social disparities within the offender population, reunite parents with children, and, offer referral linkages to inmates and ex-offenders transitioning back into society.

ADOC’s Reentry Program is supervised by Elana M. Parker, an employee with the Alabama Department of Public Health, on loan to ADOC for a period of two years. Ms. Parker is implementing the program as Reentry Coordinator and Public Health Liaison. Studies have shown that the first year after release is critical and that without a sound reentry plan, many inmates will return to prison within 12 months after release. It is estimated that more than 95% of those presently incarcerated will one day leave prison, returning to our communities. Recidivism rates are lower for those who transition back into society with reentry services.

“We are more than pleased with the progress made in our reentry efforts,” Allen said. “Now, one of our hurdles is awareness. We need to make those incarcerated, and their family members aware of the reentry services available to them.”

ADOC’s Reentry Program incorporates multiple components consisting of community education and transitional services. The model looks to expand existing services offered through institutional pre-release programs and Work Release.

Additionally, other state agencies have been identified, along with faith based and community organizations that provide transitional and reentry services to previously incarcerated persons (PIPS). A number of community organizations including substance abuse treatment centers and residential rehabilitation programs have provided such services to PIPS for a number of years. New reentry resources will assist with the following: obtaining personal identification and driver’s license, basic life skills, food, clothing, shelter, job search, education and adult literacy programs, family reintegration, parent/child assistance services, vocational and apprenticeship trainings, and health care services.

The Neighborhood House in Birmingham is one such organization assisting with reentry services. “Transitional services are very important because most folks incarcerated are coming out,” said Executive Director, Howard Peoples. “It’s important that we help with a positive transition back into society, and help them put their lives back together.”

An inmate living at the Neighborhood House, who wishes to remain anonymous, is benefiting from supervision post-release. “I’d rather be doing this any day,” the offender said. “I would not wish prison on anybody.”

By utilizing ADOC’s Reentry Program this inmate has a place to live, a sponsor, and perhaps most importantly, a job in the Birmingham area. “I have a chance to be able to reentry society instead of sitting in prison waiting to (expire my sentence), and not knowing what to do then,” he said. “This gives me a chance to get on my feet, pay fines and everything… I’m able to get a license; in prison you cant do that.”

Recently, ADOC in collaboration with the Department of Public Safety has been working aggressively to assist PIPS with obtaining both personal identification cards and a driver’s license. Previously, this has been a tremendous challenge for PIPS who do not have the required documentation. Effective February 12, 2008, DPS will accept the following: Probation or release papers issued by State or Federal Departments of Corrections with photo ID cards issued by the same authority, or felon ID cards issued by the Sheriff of the county of applicants residence.

As a result of this new change, PIPS will have greater success in obtaining proper identification, and thus securing a job that will assist him/her with basic living needs, and ultimately result in a successful transition back into the community.

“If a previously incarcerated person has basic necessities immediately upon release, they are less likely to re-offend,” said Parker. “Most of us take identification for granted, but without it, basic survival needs including food, clothing and shelter are harder to come by.”

The Alabama Department of Corrections is appreciative of the assistance and support offered by the Department of Public Safety relating reentry efforts in the State of Alabama.