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The Network in the Prisons/Network in the Community Programs provide an intensive community-based approach that combines pre-release therapeutic, educational and discharge/reentry planning with individualized therapeutic, transitional services upon reentry to break the cycle of substance abuse and/or violent behavior responsible for criminal conduct and incarceration. The two-pronged prison/community structure of the Network Program allows seamless delivery of services from institution to community, with necessary community-based support systems identified during pre-release risk and needs assessment for individuals in Network therapeutic prison communities.
Network in the Prison
Network in the Prisons provides rehabilitative services to approximately 500 NYS prison inmates a year and has the largest presence of any civilian agency behind prison walls. Services are provided in residential therapeutic communities or modular programs. Designed to promote accountability, individual and collective growth, responsible community living and a healthy, drug and crime-free life, the residential unit is organized around mandatory daily therapeutic session grounded in Dr. William Glassers’ Choice Theory. Inmate group leaders are responsible for running these meetings with supervision, support and monitoring from Network staff facilitators.
Network in the Community The aftercare that is indispensable if progress made by individuals in prison programs is to be sustained is provided by Network in the Community at sites in the South Bronx and Harlem to more than 400 individuals mandated by the Division of Parole, Probation or the courts, and inmates from Work-Release facilities each year. Participants are enrolled in a 16-week program cycle during which Network therapeutic support meetings are supplemented by a full array of reentry services: job placement and job readiness-directly and by referral-- housing, referrals to education, health and substance abuse treatment, anger management training, entitlement assistance and, when necessary, cognitive behavioral therapy.
As we quickly discovered, the unique circumstances of the pandemic necessitate hands on resettlement services to ensure that men and women coming home have a smooth transition, particularly during the first 72 hours. We provided the following services, personal transportation by Network staff from the prison to their place of shelter, backpack with basic hygiene and grooming supplies, personal protective equipment, cellphone, cellphone service for 90 days, MetroCard for 90 days and a stipend to participate in Network in the Community programs. Network’s discharge planning and outreach coordination services ensured suitable shelter, food, medical and employment services were made available to support their successful reentry.
