Video Transcript: Adult Prison Re-entry Program

Announcer - reentry offers every offender, no matter the length of their sentence, help in the transition from prison to their communities, families and  neighborhoods. You may be someone with a life sentence, someone with a  great deal of time to serve or just a few years, there's something in the reentry  program for each of you.  

Unknown Speaker 1 - I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.  Unknown Speaker 2 - I've been incarcerated for 19 years and 4 months.  Unknown Speaker 3 - My sentence was 8 years.  

Unknown Speaker 4 – I was given 43 years,  

Unknown Speaker 5 - 3 years.  

Unknown Speaker 6 - I've been locked up for 3 ½ years.  

Unknown Speaker 7 - I have served a 33 1/2 year sentence thus far.  

Announcer - The reentry program starts from the time you are sentenced to the  Virginia Department of Corrections through release to community supervision.  

Marion Curry - Reentry starts the day you come in. You need to start preparing  for your return back to your communities.  

Announcer - You will be involved in every stage of your re entry plan. It all starts with a needs assessment, which is updated yearly along with your home plan,  and will be reviewed by a counselor through every stage of reentry.  

Unknown Speaker 8 - These are questions that are going to be asked of you to  determine your your needs. If you look at the list of questions, it covers family,  mental health, education. Ask questions about your personality, whether or not  you're going to need help with housing.  

Announcer - This helps to determine what programs you might need and when  you will receive them. Some will get into certain programs sooner than others.  This will depend on the length of your sentence. One of the first things that will  happen upon your arrival at the institution is orientation. This is when you will  hear about re entry and all the programs that are offered. It will also be where  you get answers to many questions. You may have very good question, very  good you will receive information about the re entry savings plan that will be set 

up for you. This plan helps with the paying of your fines, court costs and if  applicable, child support, plus it will afford you some funds in your pocket upon  release. Offenders with life terms or lifers are valuable to re entry by being role  models, a mentor or the person another offender can come to to help them  make the right choices.  

Unknown Speaker 9 - I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole,  which they translate as being 600 years I had to take a really cold, calculated  look at what I had to work with and what my possibilities were. Okay. I think  someone that has a life sentence needs to find something they're passionate  about, commit to it, try to make that happen. I do consider myself to be a role  model, because, like everybody else here, I have opportunities to make the  wrong choices, some terribly wrong choices, and I'm choosing not to do that. I  consider myself a mentor, because I invest myself of myself and others to help  them achieve their goals. Mentoring is something that a lifer not only can do, but should do. A lifer has an opportunity that no one else does here to effect a  change.  

Announcer - Lifers will also have the opportunity to facilitate, or Co-facilitate  groups and classes such as parenting substance abuse or Thinking for a  Change. Thinking for a Change is a core program throughout everyone's  sentence designed to help offenders identify and apply positive ways of thinking. 

Unknown Speaker 10 - Thinking for a Change is up because it's made me  revamp my whole thought process in order to think for a change. It's like a  washing machine, you know, if you don't have the if you don't put your clothes to the whole process, your clothes won't be clean.  

Unknown Speaker 11 - It changed my whole way of thinking, my whole criminal  mind thinking. Since I've been here, I've taken Thinking for a Change. Now  that's been a really, really big help to me. As much as I didn't like it at first, it  really has  

Unknown Speaker 12 - Thinking for a Change is really a beneficial program that  would benefit all of prisoners, thinking for a change help us alleviate from the  negativity.  

Announcer - For long term offenders, the re entry initiative offers programming  and tools that can be used to obtain your goals while incarcerated, these tools  can also be applied when released,  

Unknown Speaker 13 - to fill up my toolbox. I mean, I'm grateful for programs 

like this. I utilize the programs.  

Unknown Speaker 14 - If I didn't do the programs, I feel like I would be going  setting myself up for failure.  

Announcer - A long term offender can be very effective. In tutoring or co facilitating programs.  

Unknown Speaker 15 - I really think rosewood, a lot of time, are the best  candidates for co-facilitating or facilitating programs, because a lot of times the  youth look up to them.  

Announcer - If you have a trade in a vocation, you could take a leadership  position during this time and be an assistant in a vocational class as a role  model or mentor, you can influence change in a positive way.  

Unknown Speaker 8 - Role model is somebody who's living a self positive  helping other people. They're positive. I consider myself role model now. I'm  

Unknown Speaker 16 - someone that people can look up to now. I'm not  ashamed of the person you know, I wouldn't offer myself or my you know, to  help someone if I'm just going to lead them in the wrong path.  

Unknown Speaker 17 - Being a role model is it's a personal thing for me. It  bothers me to see young men waste their lives. Being a role model means  everything.  

Announcer - Reentry is the main focus for offenders with 5 years or less to  serve.  

Unknown Speaker 18 - The Reentry Program consists of you come in, they  teach you how to get ready for society, back into society.  

Unknown Speaker 9 - I kept writing to try to get in because I wanted some kind  of resources to make sure that I wasn't going to return. I wanted to at least try to  do something help myself.  

Unknown Speaker 19 - The reentry program has been a big help to me. I've  learned a lot of different ways of thinking the officers and the staff that they have is much more helpful and willing to take a minute out to spend with you and pull  you out and just you have a lot of one on one with the officers, instead of them  not trying to talk to you. And when an officer stops me, or a counselor comes up 

to me, personally, it makes me feel like a human being, not just like a number.  They acknowledge the good things you do, and they let it be known when they  see the good things you do  

Marion Curry - from the start to finish. You know, I'm there for them. The staff is  there for them. The Reentry Program is there to help them, the system to get to  where they need to get to so they don't never have to come back in here ever  again.  

Announcer - At this time, counselor meetings will be increased to help support  release preparation. Those offenders with significant need for substance abuse  treatment will be referred to the cognitive therapeutic community. 28 months  before release  

Unknown Speaker 20 - addicts, we don't want to admit whether we need a  program or not. We may walk out the door. We may say, Yes, we got it. We have it, no matter how much time we do, no matter 5 years, a year, a month. It doesn't matter. 

Announcer - Work opportunities will be offered to help learn positive work habits and employability skills.  

Toni Peyton - We teach the offenders a course that's called serve safe, and what it does is makes the offenders more marketable when they go out into the  community. I really feel the offenders are receptive to this program, and they are very excited when they take the test and they pass it, and they're actually very  proud to present the certificate to the employers.  

Announcer - Vocational training and apprenticeship programs are designed to  provide skills based on realistic employment opportunities.  

Dale Smith - One of the most challenging things that we deal with is  employment. You know, we make sure everybody has resumes. We do we do  the registration online, get them already registered into the workforce center, in  other words, taking out all these components that you know they're going to  have to do this when they get out anyway. So while we have the time, let's get it  done now.  

Bonnie Cutright - When they're released, it will be really important for them to  have a job and a skill that's marketable skills they learn here to be good  employees. Got them jobs where they felt comfortable, 

Announcer - Department of Corrections, adult basic education and GED  preparation are a priority at some institutions. College programs will be  available.  

Unknown Speaker 9 - Women can come get their GED, and they make it  mandatory, that's a big thing. A lot of these women come in uneducated, and I  see them older, and they're trying to really apply their self and they're so excited. 

Unknown Speaker 21 - I already knew 9 times out of 10 when I got out, a lot of  my family wouldn't be around anymore, and I would have to find a way of  supporting myself. And I knew if I didn't have an education, or if I didn't have  some type of program or degrees under my belt, I wouldn't make it.  

Announcer - Computer skills are extremely important to your successful re  entry. Classes are provided to help you learn basic computer skills and more  advanced training to stay current in today's technology. Because  

Unknown Speaker 22 - I couldn't tell you how to use cell phone, but it teaches  you how to use computer, and I know how to use it fluently now. So stuff like that helped me the programs it it helped me a lot.  

Announcer - Through programs, offenders will be encouraged to maintain or  establish family support. Systems necessary for re entry.  

Anne Clifford - The families are such an important piece evidence and research  has shown that if families become involved and have a are going to be a support to that loved one or significant other coming out, then there's a higher chance of  that, that returning citizen, of being a bigger success.  

Announcer - Parenting programs like Inside Out dads or moms Inc, along with  teaching parenting skills help with maintaining family ties  

Unknown Speaker 22 - to make that stronger connection with my little girl, she's  my world, and I want to go home to her, because I want to be a good mom.  

Unknown Speaker 23 - Inside Out. Dads has helped me the most, because I  have a 20 year old daughter, and when I left, she was only 1, so it helped me to  communicate with her better, you know, to build a relationship with her better.  

Unknown Speaker 24 - we go back, a lot of our situations come from  misunderstanding about parenthood. If we don't tighten up our mind state and  help our children, then ultimately they'll end up in the same situation. But if we 

do, we making it better sad as a whole.  

Announcer - Visitation is encouraged and video visitation is available to help  keep you connected to your family in intensive reentry preparation, you will be  placed in a cognitive community at a facility within a 50 mile radius of your  release plan, your security level will affect what intensive reentry facility you go  to. A cognitive community is a community of offenders that are all working  towards positive reentry. Here you will be around other offenders, treatment  officers and cognitive counselors to help you focus on your future.  

Unknown Speaker 25 - Cognitive community is an area within the institution that guys are set up for a smooth transition back into society.  

Unknown Speaker 26 - I was very against all of it when I first come here, and I  went through the training. Now I'm actually on the structure board, so 

Unknown Speaker 27 - just work the program, because you get out what you put in, and it's not bad. And this is coming from somebody that didn't want to have  anything to do with the program at first, and I'm still here six months later,  working the program every single day. Sometimes I don't like it, but just work it  because it is beneficial. Just keep an open mind.  

Announcer - There are extra benefits at this level of reentry. There will be  opportunities to participate in life skills classes, parenting classes, family  seminars and faith based mentorships.  

Bill Twine - And mentors are important because they're individuals who live and  work in the community, and they're going to be aware of what's out there, and  they can be they're part of their network.  

Announcer - You will also be participating in Thinking for a Change. Booster  sessions. Programs for substance abuse are available along with peer support  groups such as AA and NA, another program which is new, that is provided and  available to offenders.  

Unknown Speaker 28 - This is a new program. It's been, I guess, been about a  year now that we've been using this cover all kind of things. We go over  banking, money management, we do D and B. Stuff we  

Marion Curry - work with them on is actual resumes, cover letters. We help  them do the letter of explanation. We have also where they do securing housing  and transportation. 

Unknown Speaker 28 - Fortunately, I get to work with everybody that's leaving.  So basically, what it's trying to do is, I always call it jump, start them back into  real life.  

Marion Curry - Resource and Referral is another piece where we have different  organizations. It could be OAR, offended, aid and restoration. It could be Virginia cares that comes in. Let them know about different things available. Even  Virginia colleges come in.  

Unknown Speaker 29 - I've taken ready to work, which gets you ready to go to  work. Once you go home, you can answer those difficult questions, are you a  felon? Yeah, I am, but I'm still a person, and I can do a good job  

Announcer - if you haven't obtained your social security card, birth certificate or  Virginia state identification card from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Now is  an opportunity to do so  

Unknown Speaker 30 - for most of our people that you know, driving is the  number one thing we all need, you know, to have our license back. If not, we're  handicapped. So, you know, so we work on what it's going to take to get your  license back. In other words, we take the mystery out of it, of course. Then also  here, we also have the process, not here, but at the institution where they're  now doing the photo IDs again, which really just helps jump start a person once  they get out.  

Announcer - Senior reentry probation and parole officers will be conducting  seminars at the intensive reentry sites to help educate and answer any  questions that you might have regarding release.  

Unknown Speaker 31 - The reason why we started prior to their release is so  that we can work on any issues they have prior to them leaving. So if there is a  problematic home plan, if someone is homeless,  

Laura Brown - good afternoon. I'm Laura Brown. I'm one of the senior reentry  probation officers, one of my primary responsibilities. Be to make sure that you  have not just a suitable home plan, but the best home plan that you possibly  could come up with.  

Unknown Speaker 31 - If someone is concerned about a job and what is  available for their community, those are things that we want to address. 

Mechael Dedeian - We talk with them about what's going on. Where are they?  What do they need?  

Announcer - During these seminars, you will hear about partnerships between  the Virginia Department of Corrections, other state agencies and community  based programs, all of whom provide resources and services such as veterans  benefits, social security and health services, among others. There is also a work release program through the local jail for qualified offenders after you have  successfully completed the intensive re entry program. This allows you to work  and receive wages. Part of these wages will be applied to your court costs, fines and child support.  

Unknown Speaker 32 - Some of the advantages of being able to come out to  work are to get ourselves into a more productive lifestyle. We get to pay 15% on  our fines each check that we get, and the rest gets put in a hold account for us.  Being able to save that money and put it towards my fines will definitely help so I can get my license back and be able to, you know, get to work and  appointments and things that I need. I love being able to come out to work,  

Unknown Speaker 3 - you know, do something that would benefit you. So when  you be ready to go back out, you be a new person. And if you're a new person,  society is willing to accept you and work with you and help you throughout your  life,  

Unknown Speaker 11- be as positive as you can and try to work the program to  the best you can, because it really, really does help. I'm I am proof. 

Unknown Speaker 19 - Look at the program as a positive thing instead of  coming in with a negative attitude. Because being a positive thing, it makes your time go by about them every day you have something better to do.  

Unknown Speaker 33 - Take your time, utilize it, and it'll help you in the future. 

Unknown Speaker 6 - You got to reinvent the wheel. When you come here and  go back to before you committed a crime, and go dig that person up and apply  the program's education, and you see the new person you're gonna become  give her to leave, you know, I mean, I'm doing it.  

Unknown Speaker 8 - We utilize the programs, utilize what you do, and I see as  time go back, that they do change for the better. 

Unknown Speaker 2 - You can take control over certain aspects of your life. You 

can achieve some amazing things in here.  

Unknown Speaker 16 - And every day, we are on a mission to better ourselves,  not only just for the things we need, but for society, our family, and to prove to  the communities out there that even though we made mistakes in the past, we  have changed and we can make a difference out there.  

Unknown Speaker 34 -I love you and I miss you.  

Announcer - Your dedication to change is beneficial in getting back to your  community families and back on your feet. Reentry is the vehicle to an improved life where you go from here is limitless.