Thinking for a Change (T4C)

In June 2005, the Office of Transitional Services implemented Thinking for a Change (T4C). T4C is a 12-week cognitive behavioral program, endorsed by the National Institute of Corrections as a best practice approach for reducing recidivism. T4C is the cognitive behavioral change program adopted by the department for cognitive behavioral change. Participants attend T4C twice a week for two hours per group session for twelve weeks. The goal of the program is to effect change in offender thinking so offenders can change their behavior. It assists offenders in breaking the cycle of incarceration by changing their way of thinking, teaching them how to think before they react, how to build positive relationships, and teaches skills to help offenders think about things in a positive way. This program helps participants change how they think about situations which might normally lead to trouble. Changing how the participants think results in changing their outlook as well as their behavior. Enthusiasm for this program is steadily increasing and enrollment has double. Participants who complete this program unilaterally express gratitude for having acquired tools which help them to think before acting. Participants also cite developing the ability to seek and consider alternatives before acting as another important outcome.

Successful Transition and Reentry Series (STARS)

In December 2006, Office of Transitional Services developed and implemented the Successful Transition and Reentry Series (STARS) program. STARS is a 13-week release preparatory program designed to address each major reentry barrier faced by the returning offender. Participants attend STARS twice a week for two hours per group session for twelve weeks. Chapters include employment, housing, transportation, education, family reunification, finances, and others. The STARS curriculum also includes an inmate workbook titled Living on the Outside. STARS course provides offenders nearing their release, a structured and detailed approach to addressing each major re-entry barrier that ex-offenders face when returning to community life. STARS assists offenders in breaking the cycle of reincarceration, preparing for and addressing possible barriers associated with the reentry process, teaches offenders how to build positive family relationships, prepare for the workforce, and how to develop effective problem solving, communication, and life skills. It also provides offenders with vital resource information for services in the community. The program has had 4,567 participants enroll with a current cycle completion rate of 80.42%. Offender feedback remains extremely positive for this program and it continues to be the most sought after program by the inmates.

SWSP STARS Completion Ceremony 9/17/09 (Requires Windows Media Player)

Cage Your Rage (CYR)

In January 2007, Office of Transitional Services implemented Cage Your Rage (CYR) anger management program to the offender population. Cage Your Rage is endorsed by the American Corrections Association as a best practice program designed to help offenders recognize their angry feelings, learn their cause, and deal with them in a responsible way. Participants attend CYR once a week for ninety minutes per group session for ten weeks. Participants learn that anger has good and bad points; how to stop their angry feelings from becoming a problem, the connection between thoughts and anger and, more importantly, techniques to help them manage their anger such as self talk, signposting, relaxation and anger logs. Cage Your Rage for Men is an interactive, process oriented group that meets once a week for ten weeks. Interest in the program has always been great. Most institutions run at least two groups per program cycle. Enrollment and completions have steadily increased. Offender feedback has been positive and improves each cycle with frequent requests for a PART 2 from the inmates.

Cage Your Rage for Women (CYR-W)

In November 2009, Office of Transitional Services implemented Cage Your Rage for Women (CYR-W) to the female offender population. . Cage Your Rage is endorsed by the American Corrections Association as a best practice program designed to help offenders recognize their angry feelings, learn their cause, and deal with them in a responsible way.CYW-W is a gender specific program designed to address anger issues specific to women. Participants learn to recognize their anger; some of the emotions anger is used to mask; the connection between thoughts and anger and, more importantly, techniques to help them manage their anger such as time outs, relaxation and anger logs, understanding the origin of their angry feelings, and how to develop a self-care plan. Cage Your Rage for Women is an interactive, process oriented group that meets once a week for eleven weeks at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. Interest in the program has been phenomenal. Enrollments and completions have increased from 44 participants in FY08 to 140 participants in FY09. FY10 is also off to a great start with 42 women enrolled. Offender feedback has been great with constant requests for a part 2.

Successful Employment through Lawful Living and Conflict Management (SEALL)

Implemented in September 2008 Office of Transitional Services implemented the Successful Employment and Lawful Living through Conflict Management (SEALL) program. Participants attend SEALL once a week for two hours per session for six weeks. SEALL is a continuation of the STARS program with a specific focus on maintaining employment and addressing on the job conflict. Participants learn how to maintain pro-social behavior at work when conflict occurs on the job. It assists offenders in breaking the cycle of unemployment by preparing them to handle on-the-job conflict, prepare for and address possible barriers to employment, how to build positive working relationships, prepare for the workforce, and how to develop effective problem solving and communication skills. SEALL is recommended to be taken after the inmate has completed STARS. However, if the inmate does not fit the time criteria for STARS, the enrollment waiver may be applied.

Helping Offenders Parent Effectively for Men (HOPE-M)

In October 2007, the Office of Transitional Services implemented the Helping Offenders Parent Effectively (HOPE) program. Using the American Correctional Association endorsed curriculum Responsible Fatherhood, HOPE-M is a ten week program that encourages offenders to see the importance of accepting responsibility for their children and to become self sufficient by beginning to take control of their lives. It is the goal of the programs to help participants become responsible fathers, even while incarcerated, which will lead to a reduction in the rate of inmate recidivism and result in offenders learning to positively influence their own children to live law abiding lives. Offenders who learn to be better fathers can help reduce these risks and have positive effects on their children's lives. Research shows that inmates who learn to become better fathers are less likely to return to prison, and that their children adjust better when they are reunited. The goal of HOPE is to enable offenders to see the importance of accepting responsibility for their children and increase their ability to be self sufficient by beginning to take control of your life. Participants attend HOPE once a week for 90 minutes per session for 12 weeks.

Helping Offenders Parent Effectively (H.O.P.E.) for Women

In September 2009, Office of Transitional Services implemented the Helping Offenders Parent Effectively for Women (HOPE-W) program at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. Using the American Correctional Association endorsed curriculum Responsible Motherhood, HOPE–W is a gender specific program designed to help women see the importance of accepting responsibility for their children, becoming more self-sufficient and taking control of their lives. HOPE-W is a ten week program designed specifically for women, to help them become better mothers even while they are incarcerated. Research has shown that women who learn to become better mothers are less likely to return to prison. HOPE-W assists the incarcerated mothers with transitioning from being a mother in the community to now being a long distant parent. While the inaugural cycle will not end until the end of November 2009, 90% of those who started the program remain actively involved and 80% of those enrolled have achieved perfect attendance thus far. HOPE-W is a prerequisite for enrolling in EPIC.

Every Person Influences Children (EPIC)

In July 2006, Office of Transitional Services implemented Every Person Influences Children (EPIC). EPIC is a ten week, gender-specific program designed especially for women. For many female offenders, incarceration may last for a significant part of their child’s formative years. Many of those women lack the foundational information and skill to effectively provide for, or parent, their children. The goal of EPIC is to empower female offenders to raise their children to become responsible adults. Participants attend EPIC once a week for ninety minutes per group session for ten weeks. EPIC was developed to teach parenting skills to women, helping them become better mothers upon their release. The goal of this program is to reduce recidivism by improving the reunification process, enabling mothers to positively influence their children to lead law abiding lives. The mounting enthusiasm for the program among the women at EMCFW has been demonstrated by the fact that 85% of those enroll complete this program. Those who successfully complete EPIC consistently report that they have developed skills which they will continue to use, and are enthusiastic about having learned skills that will enable them to become better mothers.