Why WriteAPrisoner? - National Organization of Forensic Social Work
Transcription
Why WriteAPrisoner? - National Organization of Forensic Social Work
Exploring the prison pen‐pal’s role in positively influencing incarcerated individuals and ultimately reducing recidivism. Presenter Adam Lovell, Founder & President Established WriteAPrisoner.com in 2000 • Appeared on: 20/20 Anderson Cooper MSNBC Fox News CNN E! True Hollywood Contact Information: Adam Lovell WriteAPrisoner.com PO Box 10 Edgewater, FL 32132 Email: general‐[email protected] Website: writeaprisoner.com Objectives During this webinar, we’ll look at WriteAPrisoner.com’s conception, its growth, and its future along with its impact. 1. 2. 3. 4. Increase participants’ understanding of the pen‐pal/inmate relationship by demonstrating the pen‐pal’s role in positively influencing the inmate via correspondence. Share with participants various methods used by pen‐pals to support/encourage incarcerated individuals and prepare them for successful reintegration into society. Raise awareness of the overall impact pen‐pal correspondence has on the correctional system and society as a whole. Discuss the challenges of operating the website. Agenda Overview and Introduction o o o Overview of U.S. Prisoner Population History of WriteAPrisoner.com Introduction to Website Why WriteAPrisoner? o o o Social Adjustment and Emotional Wellbeing Deterring Recidivism Finding Employment Agenda Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change o General Correspondence o Self‐help Series o Reintegration Profiles: o o o o Back to Work: Employment Profiles Coming Home: Housing Profiles Back to School: Educational Profiles Helping Hands: Correspondence Counseling Profiles Agenda Additional Resources Available to Those Impacted by Crime and Incarceration o Books Behind Bars o CrimeFreeKids.com o Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund Influence Beyond the Inmate o Impact on Correctional System o Reduced Recidivism Rate Agenda Challenges o Sensationalism by the Media o Public Misperceptions o Politics Summary and Conclusion o Maximizing the Pen‐pal’s Influence on the Inmate o The Future of WriteAPrisoner.com Questions and Answers U.S. Prison Population at a Glance Inmate Population 2,300,000+ Quadrupled between 1980 and 2000 2.3 million inmates 1 in 4 if Hispanic + 1 in 9 men 1 in 3 if Black U.S. Prison Population at a Glance o $74 billion spent annually Immigration detention = fastest growing segment U.S. spends $1.8 billion to detain immigrants annually $2.6 billion in sales nationwide in 2010 from prison manufacturers U.S. Prison Population at a Glance Federal sentencing guidelines “War on drugs” History of WriteAPrisoner.com Prison ministries 2000 Desire to create a business to help people (lifeguard/EMT background) Evolved in different directions Emphasis on Pen‐pals Introduction to Website • MUST BE 18! • Emphasizes WHY we provide this service Introduction to Website • • • User‐friendly & easy to navigate Informs & educates viewers Interactive o Forum o Polls Introduction to Website • Inmate Pen‐pal Profile o Posted by Mail or Online o Photo and Text o General Information o Contact Information o Artwork, Blogs, and Poetry o Full Disclosure o Disclaimers Introduction to Website • Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look Introduction to Website • Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look Introduction to Website • Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look Introduction to Website • Inmate Pen‐pal Profiles: Search Features Why WriteAPrisoner? o o o o o 90% will be released Positive interactions promote rehabilitation Visitation and correspondence increase positive attitudes Inmates already have lower self‐esteem, lower quality of life, etc. Inmates are high risk for mental illness caused by isolation, loneliness, & abuse Why WriteAPrisoner? o o o “Inmate visits with approved family members or friends should be encouraged for the positive purpose of maintaining home and community ties, which after release should provide a deterrent to recidivism.” (Florida DOC) Pen‐pals help find jobs, housing, and other tools necessary to reduce recidivism. “Offenders who were visited in prison were significantly less likely to recidivate.” (Minnesota DOC) Why WriteAPrisoner? o o o Inmates who find employment are most successful when using personal connections Employment is essential to keep from returning to prison Inmates can develop skills while in prison to help find employment Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change General Correspondence “Mail is the only thing to look forward to in here...” (J.S., Camp Lejeune, NC) o o o “I'm in a place where friends are hard to come by... I thought I could do time by myself, but I was wrong, so now I'm reaching out in the hope of finding someone who can take away the loneliness.” (F.P., Ely, NV) Letters & postcards Greeting cards Emails through official prison email providers “My friends and family outside of prison have all disappeared. Everyday is a struggle to retain an ounce of dignity. I don't seek pity. I ask you to remember that prison is a very lonely place. Having someone willing to listen, confide in and be an outside source of strength will help to make prison life bearable.” (T.C., Shakopee, MN) Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change • Self‐help Series o Back to School: Education Opportunities for Inmates o Back to Work: For Inmates Coming Home Within the Year o Credit Repair, Build, & Maintain Good Credit While in Prison o Going to Prison: For Individuals Facing Incarceration o Parenting from Prison: For Parents in Prison Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change • Back to Work: Employment Profiles Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change • Coming Home: Housing Profiles Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change • Back to School: Educational Profiles Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Change • Helping Hands: Correspondence Counseling Profile (in development) o o o o o o o o Anger Management Counseling Family Counseling Grief Counseling Rehabilitation counseling Educational Counseling Guidance and Career Counseling Mental Health Counseling Substance Abuse counseling Additional Resources Available to Those Impacted by Crime and Incarceration • Books Behind Bars o Online resource that bridges the gap between the public and underfunded yet vitally important prison educational department o Work with prison teachers, prison librarians, and prison chaplains o Reference books, dictionaries, fictional reading material, non‐fiction, how‐to manuals, GED or basic education materials, VHS tapes, educational DVDs, audio recordings, and virtually any other educational material o Mentioned in Oprah Magazine Additional Resources Available to Those Impacted by Crime and Incarceration • CrimeFreeKids.com o To help children who have been impacted by crime o To prevent children from taking a path of crime o Topics: Bullying Peer Pressure Family Member in Prison Criminal Involvement Problems at School Additional Resources Available to Those Impacted by Crime and Incarceration • Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund o Benefit children of inmates and children victimized by crime o Education is a critical step toward a crime free life o Scholarship emphasizes crime prevention o Amount given to date: $6200.00 Influence Beyond the Inmate Impact of Pen‐pals on Correctional System o Inmates who maintain positive relationships with someone on the outside are mentally and physically healthier, which impacts the prison environment. o Better conduct, less violence, strive for self‐ The U.S. currently has the improvement • Reduced Recidivism Ratehighest recidivism rate in the world at 60%. o Restored families o Lowers cost to taxpayers Compare to Norway at 20%. o Reduces risk of children entering the prison system This is a national crisis. Challenges • Sensationalism by the media • Public misperceptions • Politicians who fear “soft on crime” labels Summary and Conclusion Maximizing the Pen‐pal’s Influence on the Inmate The Future of WriteAPrisoner.com Questions & Answers Please visit WriteAPrisoner.com for additional information.