| The Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign offers media tools and resources to support informed discussion, decision making, and action about solution-based reentry programs that foster public safety and support healthy communities. We encourage you to review the diverse materials and consider how you may be able to use them effectively. |
| The Reentry National Media Outreach Campaign acts as a catalyst to encourage solution-based reentry activities. Review this chronicle of public television and community events/actions to gain ideas on what may work in your arena. |
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DETROIT TRANSITION OF PRISONERS (MI) .
Program Description The Prison Fellowship Ministries established the Detroit Transition of Prisoners (TOP®) program with financial support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. TOP® is a faith-based aftercare program for Michigan Department of Corrections inmates who are within six months of release and are returning to the Detroit metro area. Participants enter the TOP® program immediately after release from prison and, depending on when they complete their transition plan, stay in the program for six months to two years. The primary way that the TOP® program helps clients reintegrate back into the community is by using the involvement of faith institutions as well as mentoring, group interactions, and referrals to social service agencies in the community. This comprehensive approach is coordinated through a central office in Detroit . The core staffing unit is comprised of a CEO, a program manager, three caseworkers, two faith coordinators, and two administrative assistants. TOP® staff work with local leaders and faith institutions to bring together volunteer mentors to help participants and their families. Prior to entering the program, every applicant is assessed to determine whether the program is a good match for his/her level of risk (using the Level of Services Inventory-Revised). Once an applicant is accepted, the assessments are used to help develop a transition plan. TOP® clients are matched with faith institutions and trained mentors. Participants are expected to attend religious services, attend weekly meetings in which they discuss life and faith issues, and address cognitive behavioral development with a trained mentor or caseworker. Networking, Partnering, and CollaborationThe TOP® program collaborates with over 25 ministries and organizations to provide substance abuse services and job placement. The program also developed a national ministry of mentor training in 17 cities and 14 states. Program Goals The goal of TOP® is to encourage, train, and support local faith institutions in building their capacity to help prisoners and former offenders effectively transition back to the community. In addition, upon completion of the program, it is hoped that the clients will have successfully transitioned back into the community with stable housing and employment and will continue to be involved in the faith community.
OutcomesThe Consortium of Research, Evaluation and Consulting Services (CORECS) has evaluated the TOP® program over the years. One of the major findings from the study revealed that those in the control group were 10 times more likely to return to prison than those who graduated from the TOP® program. Only 18 percent of TOP® graduates returned to prison up to three years after the program. |
