It is our goal to provide programs that address inmate education needs and the utilization of leisure-time.
Offender Reentry Program
Reentry Program
The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail’s Reentry Program started in 2005 as a partnership with the Department of Corrections to provide reentry transition services and support to offenders. The primary focus of the program is to connect offenders with resources and services that will provide for a smoother transition back into the community. Ultimately, this will strengthen public safety by better preparing released offenders to reestablish themselves successfully into society.
The eight-week pre-release programming provides emphasis on cognitive behavioral modifications such as anger management, identifying and dealing appropriately with emotions, and effective communication skills. Providing the necessary skills to deal with past and present situations that they will be exposed to and challenged with once they have returned to the community will better equip the individual with strategies for success with their families and appropriate interactions in the job force.
The program also stresses the importance of problem solving with reiteration of the necessary values to be successful in today’s society. These life skills will be incorporated through programs about effective money management, parenting, and employment. Each of the eight-week programs provides an in-depth knowledge of skills necessary in today’s society that may differ from when an offender entered the system. Education about job searches through multiple modes including newspapers, Internet, and networking will be taught in addition to interviewing skills and completion of job applications.
Changes in society since the offenders’ initial entry also pose a need for development in areas of personal self worth that the reentry program addresses. These evidence-based practices include, but are not limited to offerings of healthy living styles and healthy/appropriate sexuality choices in today’s society.
The program’s effectiveness and ability to offer such a wide variety of effective strategies and courses is a result of collaboration with community service agencies. The released offenders need the expertise of all partnering community service members and the pertinent information that they have to offer the transitioning offenders to provide success in today’s society. The ultimate result is providing offenders the resources to become responsible and productive members of our society.
A study conducted by the University of Virginia in 2009 revealed that the success rate for ex-offenders who participated in the Reentry Program here at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail is 86%.
