MARYLAND REENTRY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (MD)

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Program Description
The Maryland Reentry Partnership Initiative (REP) is a public-private collaborative seeking to engage community members, government organizations, and service providers in developing strategies to reduce recidivism and successfully reintegrate individuals who were formerly incarcerated into the community. REP aims to provide a seamless, comprehensive network of services to prisoners returning to three target communities with particularly high levels of returning offenders in the Baltimore area: Sandtown/ Winchester, Historic East Baltimore, and Druid Heights. Each former offender is supervised by a variety of corrections officials and community-based networks, with the goal of creating community accountability and positive social influences. The REP initiative also provides a victim support network to allow victim participation in community level planning for reintegration.

Inmates from the Metropolitan Transition Center are identified prior to their release date as returning to one of three zip code communities. Those released with and without supervision are eligible to participate. After being identified as a potential REP participant, individuals are involved in both in-prison and post-release efforts. While incarcerated, soon-to-be-released prisoners attend an exit orientation, which is designed to introduce them to both the available resources and their expected responsibilities upon release. Participants also meet with a case manager or case advocate who will meet the prisoner at the actual moment of his or her release and facilitate the immediate release transition process. Inmates are expected to take an active role in developing and implementing their plans.

Post-release programs aid in creating a smooth transition to the community, including links to services and treatment. Case advocates often meet the prisoner at the door when they are released and help directly connect the individual to services to aid in reintegration, including substance abuse treatment programs, mental health counseling, and vocational and educational training. In addition, case advocates assist the former prisoner in securing identification and prescription medication, registering for
entitlements, and other urgent social services. REP also provides transitional housing for periods up to three months for about a third of the individuals enrolled in the program.

Program Goals
The Maryland Reentry Partnership works to: 1) increase public safety by reducing recidivism among the returning prisoner population; 2) increase offender accountability and community reparation; and 3) improve community capacity to identify former offenders' needs and community resources that can meet those needs.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
The program partners with a number of public service, employment, and government agencies to provide a large network of support for returning prisoners. Central partners include the Enterprise Foundation, the Maryland Department of Corrections, the Mayor's Office on Criminal Justice, Parole and Probation, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Community Development Corporations in the target neighborhoods.

Outcomes
The Urban Institute is conducting an initial evaluation of the Maryland Reentry Partnership, focusing on strategic planning and the development of performance measures, and will lay the groundwork for a future outcome evaluation.

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