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| Year: | 2013 | | Amount: $445,394 |
| Title: | Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry - Implementation, Year 1 |
| Recipient: | Advocates, Inc. |
WISR is working with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, Superior Court Probation, the Parole Board and the Worcester County House of Correction to identify individuals who are being released and returning to Worcester to participate in this program. WISR staff conduct information sessions at the various correctional facilities for those who are eligible and interested in participating in the program. As their release date approaches, each participant will be assessed and an individual service plan developed. These plans include specific goals related to housing, employment, substance abuse and family reconnection issues. WISR case managers work with each participant to assist them in achieving the goals they have outlined. WISR expects to serve 80 individuals in 2013 with a staff of three reentry case managers and an employment specialist.
Project Director: Mr. Ken Bates
Fiscal Agent: Advocates, Inc. |
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| Year: | 2012 | | Amount: $373,641 |
| Title: | Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry - Pilot |
| Recipient: | Henry Lee Willis Community Center |
The Worcester Initiative for Supported Reentry (WISR) is a coordinated reentry program for men involved with Superior Court Probation. The goal is to reduce the rate of recidivism by providing clinical and case management services by increasing employment and housing stability and reducing alcohol and drug use. Participants will be assessed prior to release and will each have an individual strengths-based service plan (ISP) that will be revised as appropriate throughout the project. They will receive intensive supportive case management and be linked to medical, mental health, housing, vocational and educational resources designed to bolster their ability to address those factors and life-circumstances that will contribute to their ability to remain crime free.
Eligible program participants for the pilot project will: be adult men between the ages of 20 and 50; have either a high school or GED diploma; have three or fewer convictions and episodes of incarceration; have some demonstrated employment and housing history; have no previous convictions for sex offenses, arson or murder; and have positive or at least neutral views on engaging in treatment. Twenty-five men will be recruited for the pilot project.
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| Year: | 2011 | | Amount: $138,413 |
| Title: | Dismas House Reentry Initiative - Planning Grant |
| Recipient: | Dismas House of Massachusetts |
There is currently no government entity at either the state or federal level that is charged with addressing issues of prisoner reentry. Dismas House will use this planning grant to gather information about successful prisoner reentry initiatives, develop a new model for prisoner reentry and create a network to facilitate the introduction of a new model in Worcester. Prisoner reentry is a complex issue. Many of those returning to the community have a history of substance abuse, along with other physical and mental health needs. These factors place them at risk for homelessness, unemployment, relapse and recidivism. This grant will begin to explore ways to improve the likelihood that prisoners will be able to successfully reenter the community.
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