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REENTRY SERVICES

The Reentry Unit is responsible for the coordinated development and implementation of programs and services that will prepare incarcerated individuals for a successful return home after incarceration. This unit strategically identifies resources and services to eliminate barriers to the transition process and reentry into the community. Effective community engagement promotes program and service planning, development, coordination, and service delivery.

The goals behind the units commitment to reentry include its obligation to:

  • Ensuring a seamless transition of incarcerated individuals from custody and then back to the community;
  • Preparing incarcerated individuals to be better equipped for their transition back to the community after receiving reentry services than at the time of their admission to the criminal justice system;
  • Equipping incarcerated individuals with marketable skills and training opportunities during their incarceration through effective programming and connection with regional Department Of Labor reentry navigators and the local American Job Center;
  • Identifying community-based programs to assist in services that promote practical life skills and supporting coping skills necessary for a successful transition to the community; and,
  • Enhancing incarcerated individuals' awareness of the impact of their crime and providing them with opportunities to make amends for the harm caused by their crime.

Release Preparation/Planning Process

Exit Orientation Interviews

Reentry Specialists conduct Exit Orientation Interviews on a routine basis. These sessions are conducted within 180 days of their projected release date. Reentry Specialists set up interviews to complete a standardized reentry needs assessment to ensure the incarcerated individual receives the full spectrum of services for their successful transition and sustainability within the community.

Reentry Assessment Form

The Reentry Assessment Form is a needs analysis that helps the Reentry Specialist pinpoint those service needs and areas that require community referrals. Services include the below listed:

  • Birth Certificate
  • SS Card
  • State/Government Issued ID Card
  • Voter Registration
  • Department of Social Services
  • Out of State Home Plan (ICOTS)
  • Housing
  • Community Resources
  • Employment Assistance
  • Medicaid/Medicare Enrollment
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Veterans Assistance
  • Physical Health Services
  • Mental Health Services
  • Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Assistance in Obtaining Medications

The Reentry Needs Assessment Form also looks at other important areas like assisting with financial obligations, legal issues, clothing, and transportation assistance to complete the release planning process.

Workshops and Training

During the release preparation period, the Reentry Specialist will work with community partners, case management and other facility staff members to ensure the incarcerated individuals have the opportunity to engage in additional workshops and training prior to release. Some examples of training include:

  • Life Skills Training,
  • Job Readiness Training,
  • Financial Literacy Training, and
  • Mediation.

Individualized Reentry Release Plan

The Individualized Reentry Release Plan is a document created to summarize the preparation process and preview the transition process. The incarcerated individuals' specific needs requested are worked on in collaboration with the Reentry Specialist prior to the release of the incarcerated individual.

Reentry Resource Packet

The Reentry Resource Packet is a guide developed to help the incarcerated individual on his/her journey as they reenter society. All incarcerated individuals are offered this reentry resource packet by the reentry specialist prior to release from the facility. The resource packet includes important community resource information and critical contact information for additional support once in the community. While all are afforded the opportunity for an exit orientation interview, some may refuse services. This packet is another opportunity for the Reentry Specialist to connect the returning citizen to those much needed services within the community and distribute contact information if they need to call back for help.

Some of the major topics covered in the packet are:

  • Birth Certificate/Social Security Card Instructions,
  • Government-issued ID Instructions,
  • Housing Options,
  • Resources from Social Services (e.g., Food, Cash, and Medical Assistance),
  • Voter Registration Services, and
  • Maryland Legal Aid Information.

Local Reentry Program

The Local Reentry Program is a strategic effort to facilitate reintegration by reestablishing personal and professional relationships and connecting with the community's local resources. This Voluntary program allows incarcerated individuals that are no more than one year from release and no less than 30 days from release the opportunity to transfer to a local detention center for reentry programming. The agreement is governed by the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between the DPSCS and the local county's correctional facility. This initiative aims to support the transition back to the community and provide appropriate reentry services. The Case management staff coordinates these transfers where eligible incarcerated individuals are identified through a screening process. This requires classification to at least a minimum security status and verified connection to the jurisdiction they are returning, and final approval by the Commissioner of Corrections.