COMMUNITY ORIENTATION AND REINTEGATION PROGRAM (PA)

Program Description
In December 2001, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) piloted a comprehensive reentry program called Community Orientation and Reintegration (COR), randomly assigning approximately half of soon-to-be-released inmates to the program. The COR program is not designed as a treatment program, but rather as a "booster shot" intended to reinforce skills and knowledge already learned in prison.

The COR program is divided into two phases. Phase I is a two-week component that occurs approximately one month prior to an inmate's release from a State Correctional Institution. Phase I focuses primarily on refreshing skills and reviewing information that inmates presumably learned through prior in-prison programming. Phase II is a four-week component intended to help facilitate the return of the soon-to-be-released inmate to his or her family, as well as to help with his or her reintegration into the community. It takes place in a Community Corrections Center and lasts 30 to 45 days. Phase II focuses primarily on the practical application of recently refreshed skills by establishing positive linkages within the community and family and by securing employment to provide financial security upon release from prison.

Program Goals
COR's two broad goals are to ease the reintegration transition for released inmates and, ultimately, to reduce recidivism. More specific goals of COR are: 1) to establish a standard, coordinated release program based on known risk factors, needs, and best practices; 2) promote effective community linkages for released inmates; 3) enhance employability and job readiness of released inmates; and 4) promote healthy family and interpersonal relationships for released inmates.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
The COR program is run entirely by the DOC in cooperation with subcontractors who run some of the community corrections centers.

Outcomes
The COR program is still working toward full implementation in all DOC facilities. To date, a process evaluation has been conducted to assess whether the program is being implemented as designed and to identify areas for improvement. An outcome evaluation is planned for 2003.

Additional Reading
LaVigne, Nancy G., and Sarah Lawrence. 2002. "Process Evaluation of the Pennsylvania Community Orientation and Reintegration Program: Final Report." Washington, DC: Urban Institute.

Lawrence, Sarah, Nancy G. LaVigne, and Meagan Schaffer. 2002. "In their Own Words: Staff and Inmate Experiences with Pennsylvania's COR Program." Washington, DC: Urban Institute.

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