Family Support Family Support Program for Ex-Program for Ex-Offenders (“FSP”) Offenders (“FSP”) PresentationPresentation Introduction and Rationale Presentation by Clients Program Description and Lessons
Learned To Date Panel Available for Questions
Introduction and Introduction and RationaleRationale
Identification of the problem FSP’s approach to addressing the
problem Overview of the agency Overview of areas of innovation
Problem: RecidivismProblem: Recidivism
A significant problem with crime is the high level of repeat offenders (recidivism)
Most studies throughout the U.S. report that 50%+ of offenders will commit another crime
In Texas, 60% of offenders were already either on probation or parole
Statement of the Statement of the ProblemProblem
Recidivism rates have spurred the need for a new approach
Parolees leaving TDCJ return to the same families and communities which supported their initial deviance
– families are generally poor with few resources for support
– the community contains no healthy network to support a non-deviant lifestyle
TDCJ is the social security system for poor minorities
Recidivism Rates in Recidivism Rates in TexasTexas
ReIncarcerated Parole Violators
Fiscal Year
# o
f P
Vs
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
Problem: Coming Problem: Coming HomeHome
Most ex-offenders return to families and communities unprepared to deal with them
Most offenders continue to have some of the problems that contributed to the original offense
– Drug and alcohol abuse– Inadequate education– Minimal employment experience– Health problems
The typical offender is not welcome at most agencies or with most employers
Comparison of TDCJ Comparison of TDCJ Inmates with Texas Inmates with Texas PopulationPopulation High minority percentage Young, male inmates are most
common Education level is very low Likely to be unmarried, often has at
least one child
Comparison of Comparison of EthnicityEthnicity
TDCJ Inmates TX Higher EdStudents
TX Population
Ethnicity
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Percentage of ThisEthnicity
TDCJ Inmates TX Higher EdStudents
TX Population
Ethnicity
Anglo
Black
Hispanic
Other
Comparison of Comparison of GenderGender
Male Female0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Male Female
TDCJ InmatesTX Higher Ed Students
Educational Educational Achievement of Achievement of TDCJ PopulationTDCJ Population
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Total TDCJ TX Pop. (25 & Over)
Did Not Finish H.S.
High School Grad or GED
College
Our Innovation Our Innovation Question Question
What is Needed to Deal Effectively With Offenders Once They Are
Released?
ApproachApproach
We Know One Thing For Sure We Know One Thing For Sure About Preventing CrimeAbout Preventing Crime
Strong Communities Strong Communities and Strong Families and Strong Families Are Deterents to Are Deterents to CrimeCrime
Provide appropriate norms and role models
Assure vigilance and social controls Act swiftly when deviance occurs
Overview: Key Overview: Key Players in the Players in the Innovation Process Innovation Process the University of Texas at Austin the Institutional Division of the
Department of Criminal Justice the Pardons and Paroles Division of
the Department of Criminal Justice the Governor’s Office of Criminal
Justice.
Overview: Overview: Organizational Organizational Goals of FSPGoals of FSP Develop tools to strengthen communities
and families to deal positively with ex-offenders.
Create a strategy of collaboration among key players in the innovation process.
Increase the pool of trained professionals to work with ex-offenders and their families.
FSP Works to Build FSP Works to Build Strong Strong Communities and Communities and Families Through Families Through InnovationInnovation Developing data on needs of families of ex-offenders.
Creating techniques to mobilize services in the community to work with families and ex-offenders.
Testing new strategies to work with agencies and families to lessen recidivism.
Addressing the Addressing the ProblemProblem
FSP seeks to develop a healthy community network to overcome deviant influences
Drug-related and non-violent offenders are primary target
Referrals to community agencies are primary tool
Promoting Promoting Community-based Community-based Services in Texas By:Services in Texas By:
Identifying service needs of families and ex-offenders.
Mobilizing community services. Developing linkages - make certain
referrals happen and succeed.
Innovation: What Innovation: What We Have Learned We Have Learned To DateTo Date Working with families Working with the ex-offenders Working with community agencies Working with our partners in
innovation
Working With Our Working With Our Partners in Partners in InnovationInnovation The “Criminal Justice System” is
fragmented Gaps between entities can be bridged.
Cooperation has been remarkable University departments can play a
crucial role in facilitating collaboration
Evaluation is an effective role for the University (to minimize impact of vested interests)
Advisory Committee Advisory Committee for FSPfor FSP T. J. Gizelbach
– Governor's Office, Criminal Justice Division
Carl Jeffries, Bonnie Swain, Armando Ayala– Institutional Division– Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Cecil Simpson, H. B. Skelton, Janet Sorenson– Board of Pardons and Paroles– Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Mike Eisenberg– Criminal Justice Policy Council
A. James Schwab, Michael Lauderdale, Kathy Selber, Dennis Nelson, Toni Johnson, Pam Durst
– School of Social Work– University of Texas at Austin
Family Support Family Support Program for Ex-Program for Ex-OffendersOffenders Introduction and Rationale Presentation by Clients Program Description and Lessons
Learned To Date Panel Available for Questions
