Deputy Secretary of Reentry Kelly Evans and I traveled to Kentucky Department of Corrections to spend time with their reentry staff. We spent three full days exchanging ideas and learning about each other's program. The entire trip was invaluable.
The agenda for the three days was full, and staff arranged meetings with various staff and visits to programs participating in reentry activities.
The first day was spent with all of the reentry staff who work in the probation and parole district offices. The KDOC has reentry staff both inside the prison and in the field of probation and parole. This is very similar to Pennsylvania, but inside and outside staff report to the same supervisor to breakdown the divisions and provide more cohesion with their staff. Discussion was held on what reentrant services and assistance is provided in the field and especially how field staff and reentry staff work together. In the afternoon we attended an Expungement Workshop which was attended by 45 reentrants. Kentucky had passed legislation that included a larger amount of offenses a reentrant could file to be granted expungement. The program was facilitated by several agencies which included an overview of the new law, information on how to file, and the reentrant had the opportunity to meet with staff who checked their records to assure all applicable cases are applied for an expungement.
On the second day, one of the most exciting activities was the "Reentry Simulation" that both Kelly and I participated in. The simulation was held on the grounds of one of the prisons and inmates participated in the exercise for the training overseeing each station. The training participants represented someone who was just released and were required to accomplish tasks provided to us on our individualized release plan. The simulation was a very realistic exercise and clearly shows the barriers a reentrant may face when released, especially if they do not have IDs, employment, money or transportation. In the afternoon, we went into one of the prisons to view their Reentry Centers. The Reentry Centers provide every inmate information on services and programs, staff develop individual release plans, provides workshops in groups or individually and makes sure everyone is provided the opportunity to prepare for their return to the community.
On the third day we had the honor of meeting with Secretary Tilly and his staff to learn about his vision and passion for reentry and the importance of implementing the reentry process throughout both in the prisons and while they are on probation or parole.
Secretary Tilly accompanied us on a tour of the prison housing a new substance use housing unit and a transition recovery unit. We then joined all the reentry staff at their prison reentry fair which is very similar to ones PA DOC facilities hold.
The visit was such a great experience and we had the opportunity to ask many questions. The KDOC staff were incredible, and we were so appreciative for their hospitality. PA will have the opportunity to return the favor when KDOC's reentry staff visit our DOC.