Corrections DirectorsSpecial Session

Seminar

Overview of Transition from Prison to Community in

Indiana

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Prior to 2002, inmates leaving Indiana’s prisons

received:• Transition workbook• $75 gateage check• Bus ticket

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Prior to 2002• Over 40 percent of released adult

offenders returned to prison within three years of release

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2003 TPCI Launch• Indiana joins five other states to

initiate the transformation to a TPC model state– Missouri– Rhode Island– Oregon– Michigan– North Dakota

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2003 – 2005: Baby Steps• Process of change begins

– Created TPCI Coordinator position– Governor held “kickoff” press

conference– Formed steering committee and

working groups– Conducted workshops– Began drafting reentry-focused policy

• TPCI slowed prior to gubernatorial election

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2005: Reinvigoration• New Governor, new Commissioner• The Programs and Services

Division was renamed “Reentry Division”

• Changed mission statement– The Indiana Department of Correction

advances public safety and successful reentry through dynamic supervision, programming, and partnerships.

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Emphasis Through Branding

• “Reentry begins at Day One”• “Road to Reentry”• “Reentry is everyone’s business”• “Changing Lives One Job At a

Time”

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Perfected a New Statewide Policy

• Sets expectations for 6-12 months prior to release

• Implements Unit Team approach– Weekly meetings– Holistic– Offender’s direct involvement

• Integrates Offender Case Management model– Individual Reentry Accountability Plans (RAPs)

Building interagency relationships by promoting “shared responsibility” and

developing cooperative agreements

• Dept of Education• Dept of Health• Dept of Natural Resources• Dept of Transportation• Dept of Veterans’ Affairs• Dept of Workforce Development• Family and Social Services• Office of Attorney General• Council of Community Mental

Health Centers• IN Criminal Justice Institute• IN Housing and Community

Development Authority• Bureau of Motor Vehicles• Department of Child Services• Division of Mental Health and

Addictions• Social Security Administration• Local judiciary• Office of Faith-Based and

Community Initiatives• Local Community Corrections

programs• Division of Youth Services

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Spreading the MessageBeyond the DOC

• 97+ percent of offenders sent to prison will be returning to their communities

• Increasing public awareness– Citizens Advisory Boards– Town Hall meetings– Editorial Board meetings– Legislative Days– Judicial Directory

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TPC Initiatives• Dedicated reentry website• No holiday/weekend releases• Clothes drives• PREF/IREF• Veterans benefits• TANF benefits 90 days prior to

release

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TPC Initiatives• ID cards• BMV mobile unit• Birth certificates• Replacement Social Security cards• Debit cards upon release• TC housing units• Purposeful Incarceration

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Assessment Strategies• Developed Offender Case

Management System• Indiana Risk and Needs

Assessment (IRAS)• Recidivism study

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Beyond 2011: Expansion• Utilize jails for step-down transition

of long-term offenders• Career Resource Centers within

facilities and parole offices• Target Medicaid-eligible offenders

for approval prior to release• Rebranding reentry for the future