Nita Johnson
The Sentinel Echo, London
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — One of the best ways to save tax dollars is to keep people out of jail.
But someone being released from jail or prison often faces numerous challenges getting back into society without the repercussions of their legal history.
Working together with local agencies to assist those individuals is the goal of the Southeastern Kentucky Re-Entry Task Force. Re-entry utilizes programs geared to help offenders get back into society, not by a “free ride” but through support programs to help them be successful.
Having a job to earn money for housing, food, transportation and other necessary living expenses is imperative to helping deter the urge to commit a crime. Those who are battling alcohol and drug addictions are offered support systems to resist that temptation and may well be a primary factor in the commission of violent crimes.
The processes involved in keeping an offender from going back to jail (recidivism) involves a comprehensive case management approach and builds life skills to become a law-abiding citizen who contributes positively to society and to the economic work force.
Bridging the gap between the legal charges and employers is just one avenue that the Re-Entry Task Force focuses on. Substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation and training, and other support programs are recruited to be involved in the overall management of the offender.
“All agencies that deal with offenders are involved, as well as community resources like churches and ministries is welcome to become involved,” said Pam Bentley with the Kentucky Department of Corrections’ Division of Probation and Parole.
Some of the agencies involved with the Kentucky Re-Entry program include the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Kentucky Division of Probation and Parole, U.S. Probation Office, Office of Vocational Rehab, Kynect, Department of Public Advocacy, Work Force Investment Act, Laurel County Detention Center, UNITE and area churches and ministries.
Although the Re-Entry program was established to assist offenders with support systems, the agencies exist on grant money from the Department of Corrections. Joanne Sizemore, a social worker with the London office of Department of Public Advocacy, organized a fundraiser luncheon on Friday to raise funds to make their organization a non-profit status that can accept private and public donations.
Currently, the Southeastern Kentucky regional group includes 18 counties comprised of the Lake Cumberland and Cumberland Valley area Development Districts. According to the Kentucky Re-entry website, there are 11 regional groups who address issues that ex-offenders face, develop a network of resources and service providers in their area, and to communicate and advocate ex-offender issues to the community and community leaders.
For more information about the Kentucky Re-Entry program and to become involved with the Southeastern Kentucky Re-Entry Task Force, visit their website at KentuckyReentry.org.