An article in The Washington Post highlights Prince George’s County Court Reentry Court Program.
Started in 2013, the Re-Entry Court is one of only two such programs in the state. Through the three phase program individuals who have been convicted of crimes and incarcerated are released early under supervision and provided a range of treatment and support services — substance use and mental health treatment, life skills and relationship building, education and job training — to aid with successful reentry into society.
The three-phase program is designed to last 18 to 24 months. In the first phase, participants remain incarcerated, receiving intensive treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues. They then return home under GPS monitoring and meet weekly with case workers and parole and probation officers. In the final phase, the location monitoring ends and individuals plan their transition out of the program with counseling and continued supervision.
An inmate’s participation in the program requires approval from prosecutors, public defenders, the health department, corrections officials, parole and probation, and the police. The article discusses the experience of one individual who has participated in the program.
For more information read The Washington Post.
Want to learn more about public safety and behavioral health issues? The MACo Winter Conference sessions, “The Lifesaving Power of Public Safety Partnerships” and “Who’s Falling through the Cracks? Addressing Gaps in Behavioral Health Services” will discuss collaborative efforts between county public safety agencies, and gaps in providing behavioral health services to individuals touched by the criminal justice system respectfully.
The MACo Winter Conference will be held January 2-4, 2019 at the Hyatt in Cambridge, Maryland. This year’s theme is, “Charting the Course.”
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
