Innovative Reentry Efforts Moving Ahead
by Katie McLain, CCDO Program Manager
Reentry has become a major focus in Weed and Seed communities. In fact, a recent survey shows that many innovative reentry efforts are underway in sites throughout the country.
The goal of the survey was to determine the extent to which sites are engaged in prisoner reentry efforts. CCDO partnered with two organizations to get the survey underway: the Center for Community Safety and the Urban Institute. The Center for Community Safety is a community-based center of Winston-Salem State University that helps shape the way local communities respond to violence. The Urban Institute is an independent nonpartisan group that conducts analysis of the problems facing America's cities and their residents.
In late 2005, 312 Weed and Seed sites were surveyed with 184 sites responding. Of those that responded, 48 percent reported that they were tackling prisoner reentry issues in their communities, a rate higher than researchers expected.
Reentry issues also seem to be inspiring creative programs. Amy Solomon of the Urban Institute said she and other researchers were "impressed not only [with] the number of sites focusing on reentry, but also [with] the level of innovation sites are putting into their reentry initiatives."
Many sites noted that they use various reentry strategies before and after prisoners are released from jail or prison, although the majority of these strategies are implemented after the ex-offender rejoins the community. One interpretation of the data the survey gathered notes that "overall, the most frequently provided service is vocational training; nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of sites provide it to individuals either before and/or after their release."
Weed and Seed partnerships run the gamut from law enforcement agencies to nonprofit organizations, and reentry programs are no exception to this rule. Faith-based groups have a high level of presence (68 percent) in Weed and Seed sites that focus on reentry initiatives. The survey also shows that for a "majority of these reentry-involved sites (60 percent), reentry is both a 'weeding' and a 'seeding' strategy."
Alvin Atkinson from the Center for Community Safety points out that Weed and Seed sites recognize that they cannot implement reentry strategies alone. "They see that partnerships with other agencies are vital to success when it comes to reentry," he said.
Both new and traditional approaches came to light as a result of this survey. Among these approaches is the relatively new use of mapping technology to document neighborhoods where prisoners are returning and/or where services are located. Many of those sites that are not using mapping technology expressed an interest in the methodology, although some technological and training obstacles remain for a number of sites.
Many sites have used mentoring as a reentry approach to bring recently released prisoners in touch with community members. Also, about one-third of Weed and Seed sites use "one-stop shops" to provide access to a variety of treatment and support providers at a single location.
Common barriers to reentry programs and services are the difficulty of "keeping participants engaged in services, meeting the housing needs of the population, and convincing employers to hire ex-offenders," according to the survey. Some other problems sites face include the difficulty of coordinating services among agencies in the community, ensuring delivery of mental health and substance abuse services, and building strong relationships with community partners.
With so many difficulties facing communities, site coordinators find that it is important to focus on the resources at hand. Existing Weed and Seed sites are ideal resources for struggling sites when it comes to reentry initiatives. Many successful sites are willing to give guidance and information on what worked in their prisoner reentry initiatives. (See survey for site contact information.)
The results of this survey may give Weed and Seed sites hope that they can be vehicles of change regarding prisoner reentry and other new initiatives. The results suggest that many innovative strategies are being pursued and that reentry initiatives are priorities for many sites. The FY 2007 solicitation for funding of new Weed and Seed communities includes reentry as a matter for serious consideration by potential applicants, and CCDO continues to emphasize the importance of reentry programming.
When sites apply the philosophy of Weed and Seed to reentry strategies, the results are often strong. The final remarks from the survey support this point: "Given that prisoners return to a small handful of communities in each state—including Weed and Seed neighborhoods—there is an enormous opportunity for Weed and Seed coalitions to continue to develop and enhance their reentry efforts."
For more information, contact:
Alvin Atkinson
Center for Community Safety
336-750-3476
Amy Solomon
Urban Institute
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