ReEntry Court Shows Dramatic Results
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The Allen County ReEntry Court in Fort Wayne, IN, has made a remarkable impact on the area's recidivism rate, and it has done so by leveraging existing resources without requiring grant funds. The key to this program's success has been a combination of close supervision and adequate preparation of the inmates during the reentry period.
According to a recently released evaluation covering the years 2001–2005, the Allen County ReEntry Court reduced the expected number of crimes committed by ex-offenders by 58 percent and the expected costs to the community by 78 percent, from $6.7 million to $1.6 million. These dramatic results were documented in two studies conducted by David Lombard, Director of the Fort Wayne-based Center for Applied Behavioral Studies.
The ReEntry Court is a voluntary 12-month program in which inmates agree to close supervision in return for early release and assistance with issues that could lead them to reoffend. These issues include a lack of adequate education or job skills training, drug and alcohol addiction and a lack of transportation. The supervision level starts high, with electronic monitoring for the first 3 to 6 months of their reentry, and decreases as the individual progresses through the program.
Launched in 2001, the Allen County Community Corrections ReEntry Initiative was created after Indiana legislators passed legislation that called for each county to establish a reentry program. Called the Community Transition Statute, this law authorized the Department of Corrections (DOC) to release eligible inmates to supervised local reentry programs up to 180 days prior to their scheduled release date. In addition, DOC would continue to pay the county a per diem cost to supervise these individuals during their reentry period. This funding source, offender reimbursements, and community service work cover the cost of the ReEntry Court and the range of services provided for returning offenders.
Inmates begin the program a month before they are eligible for early release. DOC contacts Allen County Community Corrections, which screens individuals for eligibility and notifies eligible inmates by mail. Inmates who want to participate must complete paperwork that states that they accept the conditions of the program and indicates where they expect to live when they are released. Once this information is confirmed—especially confirming the proposed residence and reviewing the reentry terms with the people living there—the individual is released to the custody of Allen County.
When the individual arrives in Allen County, court staff conduct a forensic assessment of each individual to determine his or her needs and develop a reintegration plan based on this assessment. The ReEntry Court judge then meets with the inmate to review the reintegration plan and the reentry process. After the judge imposes the reintegration plan, the individual must appear before that judge every 2 to 5 weeks, where his or her progress will be reviewed.
Throughout the process, the reentry team reviews the participant's progress. The reentry team includes representatives of Allen County Community Corrections, the special courts coordinator, case managers, a forensic specialist, a mental health therapist, probation officers, a victim services coordinator and assistant, a family/victim investigator, a district parole supervisor, and other representatives as needed. Throughout the program, a series of rewards and penalties are assessed depending on the success or failure of the individual in complying with the terms of the reintegration plan. Positive progress can result in a reduction of time under electronic monitoring. Conversely, continued wrong behavior or noncompliance can result in a number of sanctions, including extension of electronic monitoring and, ultimately, a return to incarceration.
Meanwhile, participants benefit from programs and assistance that help them with the reentry process. For instance, they might be able to join GED classes and other educational programs through local postsecondary institutions; attend preemployment training; receive sex offender intervention and treatment; attend violence intervention, crisis intervention, and substance abuse treatment programs; receive assistance with reinstatement of a driver's license; and gain access to victim/offender conferencing.
Faith-based organizations also are helping to build support systems for ex-offenders' reentry into the community. For example, Unity Christ Church developed the Unity of Love Family Reconnect Program, which focuses on reintegrating returning offenders into their families. The program also provides mentoring, recreational activities, and transitional housing for returning offenders.
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For more information, contact:
Judge John Surbeck
Allen Superior Court, Criminal Division
260-449-7583
Sheila Hudson
Allen County Community Corrections
260-449-4573
