Community Reintegration Program

The Community Reintegration Program is an offender program that was established in June of 2012 for sentenced inmates serving a sentence of three months or greater at the Butler County Prison.

Purpose

This program is of great importance because statistics demonstrate a high percentage of all offenders return to society from prison. In the case of a local prison, such as the Butler County Prison, many will return to their communities with needs and existing barriers. If nothing is done to aid in the rehabilitation, we increase their inclination to recidivate and return to jail. At $70 per day, the incarceration of an inmate in the Butler County Prison has a significant impact on tax payers, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of crime rate.

Areas of Importance

The program is geared towards assisting offenders in their rehabilitation as they transition to the community. The program places emphasis on:

Addressing various needs of the offenders
Preparing the offender for parole through an array of treatment groups and/or additional services
Reducing risk factors that contribute to one's incarceration
Reintegrating the offenders into the community by giving them the opportunity to engage in external activities

The result of these efforts is to address the increased number of offenders returning to society from incarceration by reducing the recidivism rate amongst offenders in this community.

Measurements of Success

There are many variables that are critical to future success for those returning to society, but the most successful participants have also:

Address addiction and other issues through treatment that might have interfered with them making good choices
Recognized the importance of using their time in the program to develop a healthy and mutually supportive relationship with their families
Take care of their physical and mental health needs, secure stable housing, proper documentation, and other prerequisites for healthy living

Successful offenders display two qualities that often allow them to overcome their reentry challenges:

They are motivated and committed to do well by themselves and family to live law-abiding and productive lives
They are open to receiving help and guidance from prison staff and community supports

Mission & Vision

Mission

The mission of the Butler County Community Reintegration Program is to help integrate individuals back into society by providing necessary tools, support, and resources for their success in becoming productive citizens who are involved in a positive, healthy lifestyle.

Vision

The vision of the Butler County Community Reintegration Program is that every participant in the program who transitions back into society from incarceration adopts a healthy, law-abiding, and productive lifestyle.

Goals

To promote public safety through reducing criminal behavior and recidivism
To lower participants’ risk and needs scores through program participation
To promote participants independent living skills, at which point they are able to live responsibly and rely less on social and human services
To rehabilitate and improve the outcomes of offenders in the area of mental health and substance abuse both pre and post release.
To increase employability, employment, and/or educational level after program participation
To expose participants to stable and safe housing after program completion
To reduce costs for the criminal justice system by reducing the costs of re-arrests and incarceration