Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Services Bureau 1 Education Based Incarceration Unit
M.E.R.I.T Program Maximizing Education Reaching Individual Transformation 2
Overview The MERIT program model progresses through five pillars: MERIT Beginnings MERIT Life Skills MERIT Graduates MERIT Masters and MERIT Continuum (post release) And covers primary areas of life: Recovery Family Personal Relations 3 Spirituality and Recreation
Program Objectives: Participants learn to be self-reflective and proactive: make choices in a rational manner • employ positive attributes toward building a successful • family, career, and future Participants learn skills and tools to: recognize the importance of a personal commitment to • reaching their goals accept responsibility for their actions and • be accountable for their life choices • 4
Program Progression: GENERAL POPULATION DORMS Potential students are recruited out of the General Population dorms of all jail facilities by MERIT Masters students. MERIT BEGINNINGS--6 WEEKS Those accepted into MERIT Beginnings take an initial thirty-day course taught by MERIT Masters. The Beginnings course acts as a feeder for the next levels. . 5
MERIT LIFE SKILLS--12 WEEKS This series of courses emphasize career, commitment and relationships. When students graduate from the Life Skills courses, they become eligible to apply for the: MERIT GRADUATION DORM Many MERIT graduates stay in the dorm and continue to work on their education. 6
MERIT MASTERS Candidates for MERIT Master status are given a verbal exam conducted by an inmate’s peer, an Education Based Incarceration Deputy, and a MERIT Master. Those not selected for the MERIT Masters Program can opt to stay in a MERIT Graduate dorm and continue development of their Exit Plan that began upon their entry into the jail. Graduates of the MERIT Program, MERIT Masters, may teach students in Beginnings, or return to General Population dorms to teach and/or recruit new entry-level students, while serving the remainder of their sentences. 7
MERIT CONTINUUM Post-release group that meets once a week with various community services and faith-based organizations that provide a safety net to these former MERIT students and their families. 8
For More Information Please Contact: Dr. Yael Hellman Educational Development Administrator Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Services Bureau Education Based Incarceration Unit yhellma@lasd.org (213) 473-2930 Lt. La Mar La Fave Operations Lieutenant Inmate Services Bureau lslafave@lasd.org (213) 473-2975 9
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Population Management Bureau Community Transition Unit 1
Partnership LASD recognized a growing need to develop a peer support model to assist individuals who continued to cycle in and out of the County jail system. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Community Transition Unit contracts with HealthRIGHT360 to provide comprehensive re-entry services. HealthRIGHT360 employs individuals certified as administrators and case managers. The employees all have histories similar to the target population and are uniquely qualified to understand the psychological, social, and financial challenges of successful re-entry into the community. 2
Peer Support Model for Re-Entry Services 2006 - LASD began research on Just In-Reach pilot program 2008 - Model created for Peer Support Re-Entry Services 2012 - LASD contracts with HealthRIGHT360 regarding AB109 The target group identified, who could benefit from peer support included those who suffered from: Chronic Homelessness Substance Abuse Disorder Mental Illness Chronic Recidivism into the Criminal Justice System 3
Peer Support Model for Re-Entry Services 2013 Alternatives to Custody programs for women Sheriff’s Community Alliance Provider Fairs 4
LASD & HealthRIGHT360 Service Continuum Community Providers Los Angeles HR360 Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Interview, Community screen and Services Transitional Unit develop Residential drug (CTU) case plan; and alcohol Transports Procure rehabilitation Refers to The CTU: community- HR360 HR360 Refers inmates based o seeking reentry services Transport services to directly to HR360 staff program. Housing Education Life Skills Employment Mental Health Follow-Up for 1 yr . 5
Community Based Organization Services Transportation Residential Substance Abuse Life Skills Mental Health Services Tattoo Removal Transitional Housing Access to Social Services Mother-Infant Residential Programs Veteran-Specific Services Parolee Substance Abuse Service Faith Based Organizations HIV – Special Needs Population 6
The Community Re-entry & Resource Center In May 2014, LASD created the Community Re-Entry & Resource Center (CRRC) in the lobby of the Inmate Reception Center. The CRRC delivers direct support for newly released inmates, their families, and/or their support system members. CRRC employees contact over 2,000 inmates per month as they are processed for release. 500 inmates per month come to the CRRC windows following release requesting transitional services. 7
Statistics and Outcomes Alternatives To Custody (2013 – 2014) 379 inmates screened for eligibility 284 inmates enrolled 240 inmates successfully completed a program Post Release Programs (non-ATC) 879 inmates were assessed and enrolled 400 have successfully completed a program with 174 still enrolled in a program 8
Peer Support Success Story Valerie D. came to HR360 via LA County Jail while serving a 2 year sentence under AB109. Valerie was no stranger to the criminal justice system, having served 3 prison sentences since 2007. With the help of HR360 and the peer support they provided, she made a conscious decision to do something different and changed her life for the better. 9
For More Information Contact: Lt. Jill Deschamps Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Community Transition Unit jldescha@lasd.org (213) 893-5022 Yvonne Vollaire HealthRIGHT360 Program Manager yvollaire@healthright360.org (213) 741-3788 10
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