Central City Reentry: A Crime Reduction Strategy
By Raymond Simmons, Chief of Police, Humboldt, TN
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The definition of insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This saying could apply to the typical reentry approach—according to national statistics, 66 percent of ex-offenders released from jail or prison without any support system will reoffend and end up back in the system within 3 years.
This revolving door—and the resulting crime—was deemed unacceptable in Humboldt, TN, so the city launched a new reentry program that provided a support system to keep ex-offenders out of jail. It seems to be working.
Located in the Western District of Tennessee about 80 miles north of Memphis, Humboldt has a population of about 10,000 and is small enough that the direct effects of high recidivism among ex-offenders are easily seen. Those who have been released from prison more than likely will return to where they lived before they served time. In most cases, they were born in that neighborhood, went to school there, have family there, and do not plan to leave. When an individual reoffends, he or she will most likely do so in the old neighborhood.
The Humboldt Police Department learned about reentry programs through Weed and Seed conferences and began looking at other cities that had such programs. In fall 2006, General Sessions Court Judge James Webb and Chief of Police Raymond Simmons visited Savannah, GA, to observe the remarkably successful Savannah Impact Program. Program Director Keith Vermillion explained lessons learned by the Savannah program and provided guidance on how Humboldt might start a similar program.
When Humboldt received grant renewal funds for its Central City Weed and Seed site in 2005, the police department initiated plans to launch a reentry program modeled after the Savannah program. It is based on the belief that the lack of an effective support system upon release from prison is a major reason people reoffend. If Humboldt could provide a strong support system, especially jobs, for even a portion of these people, then crime would be reduced.
The key elements of the program are
- Simplicity. The process of working with ex-offenders is streamlined, with as little bureaucracy as possible.
- Commitment. The department is devoted to providing personal assistance to help ex-offenders resolve essential issues that can lead them to reoffend—such as drug or alcohol addiction, lack of adequate housing, little to no education or job skills, and lack of transportation.
- Accountability. The program holds ex-offenders responsible for their actions.
- Productivity. The most important facet of the program is getting ex-offenders back into the workforce. The Humboldt reentry program is grounded on the premise that jobs are the best social program in the world, and that someone who has a job will be too busy being productive to cause trouble.
Mattie Hall, the program's part-time Reentry Coordinator, does most of the work in this new program, and has been doing so since she joined its staff in July.
The reentry process begins when Hall receives referrals from the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Gibson County Probation, judges, and even word of mouth. Hall meets with each person who is referred and creates a personalized assessment sheet on each individual. Through these assessments, she develops individual profiles of the ex-offenders—including any workforce skills and education they may have or need; whether they have a valid driver's license and access to transportation; any alcohol- or drug-related issues they may need to address; and whether they have adequate housing.
The program collaborates with a wide range of organizations that can help in each of these areas. If the issue is related to workforce training or a need for education, Hall determines the need (for example, the individual may need to obtain a GED), and she connects the individual with the Gibson County Literacy Council or the local technical school. If transportation is needed, she will locate it, help the individual obtain a driver's license, and she will even go to court if a license has been revoked due to unpaid fines. If the issue is drug or alcohol dependency, she will connect the individual with the appropriate support groups. Other collaborations Hall uses include partnerships with the Central City Weed and Seed, Tennessee Department of Corrections, Gibson County Circuit and General Sessions Courts, and Gibson County Juvenile Services.
While Hall is tackling each program participant's personal obstacles, she also collaborates with the Tennessee Department of Employment Security, Tennessee Workforce Development, private placement agencies, and an array of industrial and service businesses to find participants jobs. At present, more than 25 companies have hired ex-offenders who have participated in the program.
Initially, not many employers were willing to give ex-offenders the chance to prove themselves, but a handful of companies approached the program after hearing about it through the local media. Police department representatives spoke to civic organizations, such as the Humboldt Ministerial Alliance, and several potential employers came on board after hearing that the program is a crime reduction strategy. But Hall found most employers who have taken on program participants by going door to door and making cold calls. She routinely contacts industrial plants and businesses to inquire about job openings and the application process.
The program is already planning its next step toward effective reentry. Humboldt's Central City Weed and Seed site is working on a reentry program for juvenile offenders who are placed on intensive probation or returned from state custody.
So far, the program has been more successful than expected. The original goal was to help 20 ex-offenders find work. Since July 2006, Hall has placed approximately 60 individuals in new jobs. That means that 60 individuals now have a chance to become working, productive citizens and are less likely to commit crimes. Although it is still too early to analyze statistics and confirm the program's success, a program that keeps people out of jail must be headed in the right direction.
For more information, contact:
Chief Raymond Simmons
Humboldt Police Department
