Fresh Start Reentry Program
In 2013, the U.S. Attorney’s Office established the Fresh Start Reentry Program in the Northern District. The Fresh Start Reentry Program is in coordination with the U.S. Probation Office, the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The Fresh Start Reentry Program is dedicated to reducing criminal recidivism in the Northern District by helping individuals with felony convictions gain access to resources and to provide the necessary motivation for success when reintegrating into the community.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S SMART ON CRIME INITIATIVE
In early 2013, at the direction of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice launched a comprehensive review of the criminal justice system in order to identify reforms that would ensure federal laws are enforced more fairly and more efficiently. Smart on Crime focuses on Prevention, Enforcement, and Prisoner Re-entry into communities. Five goals were identified as a part of this review:
- To ensure finite resources are devoted to the most important law enforcement priorities;
- To promote fairer enforcement of the laws and alleviate disparate impacts of the criminal justice system;
- To ensure just punishments for low-level, nonviolent convictions;
- To bolster prevention and reentry efforts to deter crime and reduce recidivism;
- To strengthen protections for vulnerable population.
Read more about the Department of Justice’s Smart on Crime Initiative
ROADMAP TO REENTRY: REDUCING RECIDIVISM THROUGH REENTRY REFORMS AT THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
The Department of Justice takes the view that "reentry begins on Day One." The Roadmap to Reentry identifies five evidence-based principles guiding federal efforts to improve the correctional practices and programs that govern the lives of those who will reenter society after incarceration. The principles are as follows:
- Principle I: Upon incarceration, every inmate should be provided an individualized reentry plan tailored to his or her risk of recidivism and programmatic needs.
- Principle II: While incarcerated, each inmate should be provided education, employment training, life skills, substance abuse, mental health, and other programs that target their criminogenic needs and maximize their likelihood of success upon release.
- Principle III: While incarcerated, each inmate should be provided the resources and opportunity to build and maintain family relationships, strengthening the support system available to them upon release.
- Principle IV: During transition back to the community, halfway houses and supervised release programs should ensure individualized continuity of care for returning citizens.
- Principle V: Before leaving custody, every person should be provided comprehensive reentry-related information and access to resources necessary to succeed in the community.
Read more about the Department of Justice’s Roadmap to Reentry
FRESH START REENTRY PROGRAM IN THE NEWS
U.S. Attorney in Okla. announces 'fresh start' plan
Fresh Start program aims to reduce recidivism among felons
Program provides 'Fresh Start' for convicted felons
Transition program helps convicted criminals find a fresh start
RESOURCES FOR RECENTLY RELEASED INDIVIDUALS
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
Center for Employment Opportunities
Oklahoma Reentry: Transitional Services and Resources
RESOURCE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS
Reentry Toolkit for Faith-based and Community Organizations
RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS
Department of Labor Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding insurance coverage to individuals with criminal histories and other high-risk job applicants who are qualified, but who do not get jobs because regular commercial bonding is denied due to their backgrounds.
- Contact: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Tulsa Eastgate Workforce Center, 14002 E 21st Street, Suite 1030, Tulsa, OK 74134, (918) 796-1313, manager-eastgatae@oesc.state.ok.us
- Contact: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Tulsa Skyline Workforce Center, 6128 E 38th Street, Suite 405, Tulsa, OK 74135, (918) 384-2310, manager-skyline@oesc.state.ok.us
Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal tax credit offered to employers as an incentive to hire targeted groups which have traditionally faced significant barriers to employment.
- Contact: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, WOTC Unit, PO Box 52003, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-2003, (405) 557-7128, WOTC-Q&A@oesc.state.ok.us
RELATED RESOURCES
Federal Interagency Reentry Council
National Institute of Corrections (NIC): Offender Reentry/Transition
National Reentry Resource Center
What Works in Reentry Clearinghouse