Seattle Angels’ Post

[The Maine] Department of Corrections, which runs the Long Creek prison, reports 61% of young prisoners have been there two or three times before. It is time to stop thinking this kind of failure reflects bad kids and start understanding these are programs that are not meeting kids’ needs. In fact, removing a child from their home, or even imposing punitive measures in the community under rules of probation, amount to adverse childhood experiences. A groundbreaking 1990s CDC-Kaiser study revealed that adverse experiences in childhood increase risks for lifelong chronic conditions, including poor school performance, unstable employment, depression, obesity and heart disease. There is now plenty of evidence demonstrating punishing children for bad behavior instead of figuring out the reason for the behavior and intervening to eliminate it is not productive. Investing public funds in expensive programs like Long Creek prison and residential centers without knowing precisely what children need is wasteful, harmful to children and increases risk to the community… Now supporters like myself are back with perhaps a better idea. L.D. 1779, An Act to Prevent Youth Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System by Establishing a Strength-based, Discretionary Juvenile Needs Assessment Program, is not only based in the science of child development and juvenile justice outcomes research, but it also capitalizes on the experience of neighboring New Hampshire, where a similar bill was passed in 2021. L.D. 1779 will help ensure that each child who is facing arrest or court involvement will be provided with the most appropriate services at the appropriate time. It would allow law enforcement to refer a child for a comprehensive needs and strengths assessment. Needs will be assessed to identify conditions causing a child to commit a delinquent act. Strengths will be assessed to determine child and family capacity to overcome underlying conditions, thereby providing guidance for the most appropriate intervention to prevent delinquent behavior from happening again. The comprehensive needs and strengths assessment children in trouble may opt for will not only inform the state about what that individual child needs, but the compilation of assessments over time also will tell what services to invest in to benefit all children and communities. In New Hampshire, more than 70% of assessments in the first year revealed children needed basic community-based services. One-third required intensive wraparound care to address child needs within family dysfunction. One-third required Medicaid-covered outpatient services like counseling. And one-third needed safe after-school activities like access to YMCA, or mentors and tutors. In order for Maine to lead in juvenile justice, we need to start by understanding the roots of the problems and investing in programs that work. (Extracted from the opinion piece written by Abdulkadir Ali and posted below)

In 2014, California voters passed #Prop47, a groundbreaking measure that has helped decrease the state’s incarcerated population over the last decade and redirected funds to services that promote long-term public safety. Now, Proposition 36 is on the ballot, and it seeks to undo much of that progress. If passed, Prop 36 would increase penalties for crimes that Prop 47 downgraded, leading to longer sentences for nonviolent offenses and potentially reversing the gains made in reducing mass incarceration. Californians: before you cast your vote, take a moment to read our in-depth explainer on Prop 36 and how it would hold Californians back from a safer, more equitable future.

REENTRY & RELATIONSHIPS My heart goes out to the women who are emotionally and mentally distraught, as I was years ago. The pain can be overwhelming; one wife said it feels like she's having a heart attack, while another can't stop crying. These women share a common experience: their husbands served time in prison, and now they (wives) are serving time in a mental prison due to the aftermath. Reentry programs need to stop sugarcoating the process and implement programs that address the mental impact of long-term incarceration. Why aren't we discussing the mental health effects of prison as much as we talk about jobs? It's obvious that prison has side effects, and if acknowledging that upsets people, so be it. I'm upset too. Citizens are returning in a worse state than when they went in, and we should all be angry about that. Seek to understand not to deny prison has side effects. #wifeafterprison #Postincarcerationsyndrome #mentalhealth #Mentalhealtheducation #reentry #reentryprograms #domesticviolence #departmentofcorrections #pardonandparole

Last year, Missouri led the way as the first state committed to improving reintegration outcomes for every person leaving incarceration and those on supervision. Reentry 2030 is a national initiative led by the CSG Justice Center helping states boost access to reentry supports, clearing away unnecessary barriers, and advancing racial equity. On a mission to improve reentry outcomes by 2030, Gov. Mike Parson and former Department of Corrections Director Anne Precythe committed the 24th state to some ambitious goals: - 100 percent of people who are incarcerated and need career services receive them. - 85 percent of people who are incarcerated are employed within 30 days of release. - 80 percent of formerly incarcerated people maintain employment for at least 9 months after release. https://lnkd.in/eP5d6_vx

What does it look like to build community solutions to youth policing and incarceration? As youth incarceration declines across the U.S. (down 75% between 2000 and 2022, according to a new report from our partners at The Sentencing Project), communities are finding healing ways to transform spaces previously held by carceral institutions—from affordable housing to health & wellness centers and more. https://lnkd.in/eGKVyXhk

We currently lack criminological theories that consider the impact of the digital age on crime causation and rehabilitation. It is imperative to develop a theory that integrates the digital age into criminological theory and research. #criminaljustice #criminologicaltheory

Unlocking potential: Supporting prison leavers with essential digital skills In today’s digital-first world, being disconnected from the internet is not just inconvenient; it's a significant barrier to reintegration and a hindrance to equal opportunities. Our CEO, Elizabeth Anderson, highlights this critical issue in her op-ed for the Big Issue. The plight of former prisoners, re-entering society and finding themselves adrift in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, underscores a crucial aspect of our social fabric. The Digital Poverty Alliance’s Tech4PrisonLeavers project steps in as a necessity to forge a more inclusive society. By providing digital skills training and access to technology, we can help prison leavers reintegrate and thrive. It's time for change. Let's ensure everyone has the digital skills needed to build a better future. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/vPija. #EndDigitalPoverty

In 2014, California voters passed #Prop47, a groundbreaking measure that has helped decrease the state’s incarcerated population over the last decade and redirected funds to services that promote long-term public safety. Now, Proposition 36 is on the ballot, and it seeks to undo much of that progress. If passed, Prop 36 would increase penalties for crimes that Prop 47 downgraded, leading to longer sentences for nonviolent offenses and potentially reversing the gains made in reducing mass incarceration. Californians: before you cast your vote, take a moment to read our in-depth explainer on Prop 36 and how it would hold Californians back from a safer, more equitable future:

Busted! Biggest Myths About Prisoner Reentry Wrong assumptions about people returning from incarceration can hold them back. Each week, we'll tackle a different myth to set the record straight. Join us for #ReentryTruth! #JusticeReform. Busted! Biggest Myths About Prisoner Reentry (#1) This week, we're shattering Myth #1: People released from prison can't be rehabilitated. The truth is, with proper support, people can turn their lives around. Studies consistently show that participation in rehabilitation programs can significantly reduce recidivism rates (the chance of someone re-offending). Let's delve deeper with some data: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS): Bureau of Justice Statistics: [bjs gov] A 2021 BJS report found that recidivism rates for prisoners released in 2012 fell by 7% compared to data from 2005. This decline coincides with an increased focus on in-prison rehabilitation programs. RAND Corporation: Their study showed in-prison education programs can reduce recidivism by 13%. This highlights the importance of providing opportunities for skill development and positive redirection. Pew Charitable Trusts: Their research found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs specifically can cut recidivism rates by up to 25%. CBT equips individuals with tools to manage negative thinking patterns and reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior. Beyond these examples, consider these additional facts: Recidivism rates are highest in the first year after release. Effective reentry programs that provide support during this crucial period can make a big difference. Programs addressing substance abuse and mental health issues are particularly impactful, as these factors are often linked to criminal activity. Investing in rehabilitation is not just about helping individuals, it's about creating safer communities for everyone. Stay tuned next week for another myth debunked! #ReentryTruth #JusticeReform #VFCVR #Reentry #SecondChances

"HUD’s charge alleges that the Respondents barred the Complainant and his three minor children from the property and initiated an eviction immediately after his incarceration, even though his attorney advised the Respondents that the incarceration was likely to be brief and his rent was fully paid during this time. " Individuals facing incarceration, or who are re-entering the population after incarceration, can have a very difficult time finding housing. Prejudice against individuals who have any type of criminal background can lead to homelessness, even if they have the capacity to pay rent and be quality tenants. #reentry #ReentrySupport #FairHousingForAll #FairHousingAct https://lnkd.in/gntun9pB