Release andReintegration

Services

Minnesota Department of Corrections

Jolene Rebertus, MA, LPC Phoua Vang, MA Jim Myhre, LADC

Release and Reintegration Specialists

Release Planning in Behavioral Health

Approach Prevention through planning and action

MN DOC Release Planners SPMI SO CD Medical TBI

SPMI Release Planning

Function as a mental health practitioner Assess and review client management needs Create individualized discharge plan aimed at

successful integration into the community

Introduction

Significant increase in awareness of number of mentally ill offenders in prison population

Results in homelessness, unemployment, hospitalizations, subjection to abuse and exploitation, alcohol and drug dependence

Introduction

2002, MN State Legislature passed law requiring mental health release planning for all SPMI offenders Community mental health services preplanned

prior to release

Importance of Mental Health Release Planning Services Enhance community safety Reduce recidivism Meet state legislatively mandated laws Provide advanced notification to community

social service agencies

Importance of Mental Health Release Planning Services To ensure offender access to state, county,

and federal health care Transition mental health services from prison

to community Medically based treatment that supports

court’s objectives and conditions for release Best possible aftercare for SPMI offenders

Definition of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) A person has diagnosis of:

Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Major Depressive Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Schizoaffective Disorder

How to identify? Past records

Pre-sentence investigations Clinical records Case notes Police reports

Offender interview Have you ever been hospitalized? Have you seen a counselor or therapist? Do you have a mental health diagnosis?

Medications?

Mental Health Release Plan

Begin working with offender 120 days prior to release

Voluntary Service Limits of Confidentiality Assessment of need completed Obtain emergency contact, recreational

activities, etc.

Mental Health Release Plan

County Mental Health Case Management Rule 79 Assessment

Each county has their own rule 79 assessment Certifies a person with a serious and persistent mental illness

County involvement important in order to assist with connecting offender to community mental health resources Day tx. MI/CD groups Vocational programming Housing Funds

Mental Health Release Plan

ARMHS-Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services Medical Assistance required Intensive Community services that focus on

offender’s mental health stability in community

Mental Health Release Plan

MN Department of Economic Assistance GAMC (expired 02/28/11) MN Care MA Expansion (March 2011) SMRT Food Stamps Personal Needs Money

Mental Health Release Plan

Financial Benefits-Social Security Multi-stage process

Referral phone call to SSA representative at 120 days SSI phone interview with offender in prison Completion of important paperwork Possible psychiatric evaluation SSI provide a means of support to pay for housing, food,

and increase the offender’s health insurance coverage

Mental Health Release Plan

Housing Placement SPMI release planner involved in order to find

appropriate housing Rule 25 assessment for MI/CD programming Collaboration with various providers

Community agencies Case manager Housing manager Economic Assistance

DOC case manager Field agent

Mental Health Release Plan

Community appointments Outpatient Psychiatry-medication monitoring Outpatient Psychology-primary therapist Community Treatment Program

Sex offender MI/CD DBT Day treatment

Mental Health Release Plan

Prevention Plan Reviewed and processed with the offender

To improve his/her cognitive thinking skills Build self-confidence in managing their mental health in

the community

Sex Offender Release Plan

Philosophy Release planning starts at program admission Re-entry services is provided in an inside-out

manner Community resources are brought into the institution Interagency collaboration establish pre-release

Sex Offender Release Plan

Release Planners in SOTP: Educate and motivate offenders in assessment

phase Assess and review continuum of care needs Act as a resource Ensure safe continuum of care plan

SOTP Transitions

4 - 6 months prior to release 1.5 hours, 4 days per week for 12 weeks

SOTP Transitions

Guest speakers & Topics Community notification & registration Supervision Civil comm. procedures Housing resources and program expectations Vocational Parenting, visitation & family reunification Outpatient treatment Support groups Credit counseling & child support

SOTP Transitions

Support Person Education Sessions Members of offenders support network

Family, friends, sponsors, mentors, pastors Held in institution visiting area during non-visiting

days Large group discussion (all offenders and guests) Small group discussion (therapist, offender & his

guests)

Sex Offender Release Planning Release Planning Session

Supervising Agent SOTP therapy staff DOC Case Manager Community support people

Discuss tx. progress and concerns Review and modify release plan Goals and rec. for release Rules & regulations of release

Sex Offender Release Plan

Offender Participates in putting the plan together

Directed by housing placement Identify resources:

Assistance needs (medical, financial, etc.) Continuing treatment resources Support groups Leisure, education, community involvment

Sex Offender Release Plan

OBSTACLES Limited resources for residency Delays in civil commitment determination Lack of healthy support resources Limited funds Lack of transportation

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Basic Approach

Actively work toward creating a community release plan by identifying supportive services, and utilizing all available resources offered by the Department of Corrections

Prioritizing CD Services

HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW CD assessment DWI offense LSI Score MNSOST-r Score Assault, harm, weapon Mental health TBI Developmental Disability

Chemical Dependency Release plan Release Planning Clientele

Offenders participating in CD programs Offenders releasing directly into the community 6 months prior to release

Other Planning Strategies

Early Release Programs ICWC Work Release Minimum Security

Offenders in the General Population Courtesy Rule 25’s

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Multi-disciplined Approach

Offender involvement Assess and review client management needs

Case managers Supervising agents LSI domains CD Comprehensive Assessment Staff review and consult County input – Rule 25

Create individualized discharge plan aimed at successful reintegration into the community

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Addressing Other Needs

Sober housing Medical Mental health Employment Family and community support system Personal needs Leisure and recreation

Chemical Dependency Release Plan Integration of Community Services

County Human Services Social Services Re-Entry Service Agencies

CORP – Duluth Wilder Foundation – St. Paul HIRE – Minneapolis Workforce Centers Easter Seals – Twin Cities, Rochester, Wilmar Central MN Re-Entry Project – St. Cloud & Central MN

Summary and Key Points

Frequent communication with various parties Within Department of Corrections Community agencies Field agents