NAMI ConferenceFebruary 10, 2015

“Changing Lives: Changing Futures”

Operating Rehabilitative Detention

Facilities

NAMI ConferenceFebruary 10, 2015

“Changing Lives: Changing Futures”

Operating Rehabilitative Detention

Facilities

Objectives

• Understand benefits of operating a rehabilitative facility• Understand criminogenic risk and protective factors• Understand need to utilize targeted evidenced based, best practice

approaches that reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors• Identify opportunities to engage the community in developing a pre

and post release continuum of services that increase the likelihood of successful reentry and reduce recidivism.

• Share examples of successful program operations at the Mecklenburg County jail facilities

• Discuss possibilities for application in other communities

Benefits of Incarceration• Optimum time for intervention• Providing room and board• Structured Environment• Direct Supervision• Improvement in physical health• Medical/dental needs addressed• Become sober• Medication stabilization

Benefits of Rehabilitation• Improves safety and security of facility

– Inmates engaged in productive activity

• Reduces incidents– Inmate on Officer– Inmate on Inmate

• Reduces recidivism• Decreases jail overcrowding• Improves opportunity for successful reentry• Maximizes benefit of resources

MCSO Mission

To protect the citizens of Mecklenburg County by operating secure and professional rehabilitative detention facilities, enforcing civil and criminal laws, providing outstanding public service with integrity and upholding the constitutionality of the

Sheriff’s Office.

Inmate Programs’ Goal

The goal of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Programs Department is to provide the inmates housed in the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office detention facilities the opportunity to address those issues that may have contributed to their criminal behavior

and subsequent incarceration.

Criminogenic Risk Factors

• Undereducated• Underemployed• Substance Abuse• Mental Health• Anti-social Attitudes and Peers • Marital/Family of Origin Issues

– Chaotic Home Environment– Parenting Issues

• Lack of Empathy and Social Bonding

Program Model

Develop a comprehensive system of care utilizing evidenced based, best practice programs and services to meet the holistic needs of our consumers in the most efficient and effective manner possible

Programs Target Needs• Rehabilitative Services

– Educational Services

– Therapeutic Services

– Domestic Violence

– Vocational Services

– Health and Wellness

– Life Skills (Decision Making)

– Parenting

• Library Services• Chaplain’s Services

Operations

• Safety/Security–Screening/Training/Monitoring

• Integrated Community Approach• Pre/Post Release System of Care• Community “In Reach” • Risk/Needs Assessment• Person Centered Plans• Seamless Transition to Community• Ongoing Community Support• Advocacy

Community Partners• Publicly funded services

– Managed Care Organization (MCO)– County/City Departments– Library

• Private Providers (Pro bono)• Non-profits• Educational Institutions• Interns• Faith-based Organizations• Community volunteers

Examples

• Substance Abuse Program• Mental Health Counseling• Health and Wellness

– HIV/AIDS/STDs Testing/Education• Business Builders Program• Mentoring Programs• Employer Network• Staff Training• Yoga/Tai Chi/Meditation• Religious Studies• Community Foundations

Questions?