Finding a smoother re-entry

PALMER — According to available data, inmates incarcerated in Alaska have a 63 percent recidivism rate, meaning two out of every three released from prison will return in three years. With a goal of lowering that statistic, the Mat-Su Reentry Coalition organized and is continuously searching out new resources.

Janice Weiss, Coalition coordinator, said the grassroots group is made up of community stakeholders, public and non-profit agencies, faith-based and business partners, and individuals united and committed to one goal—reducing recidivism.

Weiss said in addition to the 63 percent fallback rate, Alaska has produced some other staggering statistics—80 percent of inmates have a substance abuse issue, without intervention, 70 percent of children of an incarcerated parent will end up in prison at some point in their lives, 65 percent of the state’s prison population are Mental Health Trust beneficiaries—with more than 20 percent having complex, chronic psychological needs, the cost of housing an inmate in the state’s correctional system for one year was $58,000 in 2015.

Weiss said the coalition’s focus is multifaceted—to educate the community about Alaska’s criminal justice system, identify local challenges facing returning citizens, to identify local gaps in services and identify collaborative solutions to address identified gaps and lastly, to be a local contact for state Department of Corrections personnel in an inmate’s reentry planning and transition.

“The Valley has many services available to reentrants,” said Weiss. “I have found that reentrants who have violent crimes on their records will have a difficult time finding employment (and) those who have non-violent crimes will have a less difficult time.”

Weiss said evidence shows reentrants are less like to recidivate of they have support from family, friends, and the community. She said a successful reentry means an increase in public safety and less money spent on incarceration of people who could have been contributing members of the community had they received needed assistance.

With all of that in mind, a group of Valley individuals sought and secured grant funding to form the coalition. Weiss explained Valley Charities applied for a grant through the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and was one of four statewide to be successful. Weiss was hired in October of 2015. Its goal is to provide a seamless plan of services both inside prisons and through community organizations. Weiss said programming, support and supervision from the time a person is incarcerated, through the transition process, and through reintegration was established.

“One of the most important aspects of reintegration is setting up moderate-to-high risk individuals with case management services. The case management ideally starts while the person is still incarcerated,” Weiss explained.

She said this allows case managers to work with institutional and probation officers as well as the inmate on a reentry plan. Weiss said at present, case management is offered through two grants—Healthy Impact” from the Mat-Su Health Foundation, and “Recidivism reduction” from the State of Alaska’s Department of Health and Social Services.

Weiss said that, like the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force, the reentry coalition meetings are a chance for providers and community members to find out and share information about available resources and programs. She said the coalition meets quarterly with about 30 people attending the informal sessions.

“We’ve been meeting at Mat-Su Senior Services across from Palmer Middle School,” Weiss said. “But I may have to find a new location because of the numbers.”

Weiss explained a group of 12 form the steering committee, which meets monthly on those months the quarterly meetings aren’t held. She said having more groups and community providers share offered programs and ideas is something the coalition strives for.

“Cooperation and communication are extremely important,” said Weiss. “That includes state and federal government agencies, community organizations, grantors, grantees, and coalition staff and volunteers.”

Weiss said the Valley offers many reentrant services. Additionally, Weiss said a survey of Mat-Su employers revealed most are willing to give reentrants an interview and hire on a case-by-case basis. She said finding housing, transportation, and a job are the biggest challenges reentrants must overcome.

“Other communities in the state, such as Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage, offer reentrants better access to housing, transportation, and employment,” said Weiss. “Because of our lack of services, many returning citizens being released who have roots in the Valley choose to go to Anchorage.”

Weiss said the coalition serves as a hub, or gathering place for everyone who has something to offer whether it’s programs, ideas, suggestions, or even questions. The coalition’s most recent meeting took place July 12. A number of speakers discussed everything from reentrant employment programs and apprenticeships, state DOC budget updates and effects on reentry, veterans and reentry, health care service availability and substance abuse treatment and assessments.

Weiss said the coalition welcomes new members or new questions. For more information, contact her at 907-414-4077.

Contact reporter Chris Ford at 352-2270 or chris.ford@frontiersman.com