PROJECT SUCCESS

Women Healing Women

What is Project Success?

An innovative six to nine month in-jail drug treatment program to address gender-specific needs of substance abusing females.

What is RSAT?

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment

Application for the Grant?

Sub-grant Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

Implementing Agency: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

How the program is funded

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Criminal Justice Grants funds $150,000 in addition to $100,000 provided by PCSO.

Operating costs $250,000 total per year

Why the Female Population? The last decade has seen a surge in both the

number and proportion of incarcerated women in the United States.

The number of women in prisons and jails is growing at a faster rate than the number of men [1].

At mid-year 1997, women accounted for 6.4% of all prisoners nationwide, up from 4.1% in 1980 and 5.7% in 1990 [2].

At the Pinellas County Jail, the average daily population of adult female inmates represents 13.2% -- More than twice the national average

Gender Specific Needs Incarcerated women’s needs differ from men due

in part to… Women’s disproportionate victimization from

sexual or physical abuse. Responsibility for children. Women offenders being more likely to become

addicted to drugs, have mental illnesses, and to have been unemployed prior to incarceration [3].

Notes: 1. Mumola, Christopher J., and Allen J. beck, Prisoners in 1996, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1997 2. Gilliard, Darrell K., and Allen J. Beck, Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 1997, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1998 3. Morash, Merry, Timothy S. Bynum, and Barbara A. Koons, Women Offenders: Programming Needs and Promising Approaches, Research in Brief, U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, 1998

Program StaffOperation PAR, Inc.

Clinical Supervisor2 CounselorsDischarge Planning Coordinator

Dixie Hollins Adult Education Center Instructor

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Program Administrator

Detention and Corrections Personnel

Program PhilosophyModified Therapeutic Community Model

MTC The MTC approach to substance abuse treatment is

a psychosocial, experiential learning process that utilizes the concept of positive peer influence within a highly structured social environment.

The Therapeutic Community is modified in Project Success to adjust itself to work within the confines of a jail facility.

Program CultureThe culture is defined by a mutual self-help

attitude where community members confront negative attitudes and behaviors to establish an open, trusting and safe environment where personal disclosure is encouraged and the prison culture is rejected (“A” Barrack Mentality).

Participants and Staff work together in a social community with governing principles called concepts.

Program Structure

Within the program structure, treatment and educational activities provide the opportunity for self-examination and awareness, skill building, behavioral practice, teaching/learning and lifestyle change.

The combination of the MTC environment and the treatment structure allows participants to honestly struggle with problem areas, while at the same time, supporting each person’s best effort in daily living.

Guiding Principles of Project Success Participants inside the MTC Every Participant is considered to be a person of

worth and value. No one can be forced to change. Participants must

want to change. Change comes as a result of action. Passivity and

idleness will accomplish nothing. Effective change for the Participants must involve

the re-structuring of their world view. The movement toward change is possible for

anyone at any time with no prerequisite beyond the sincere desire to change.

Phases of Learning Intervention

Project Success participants will work through a four-level system as they progress in the community structure. As participants become more acquainted and responsive to their expectations within the program, they will be able to obtain permission from the community to advance to the next level status.

Orientation – 2 weeks

This phase includes orientation to the MTC. The participant learns what to expect and what is expected of her while she is a part of the community.

The Project Success orientation video tape is shown at this time.

Level One – 4 weeks

The participant will learn the concepts that will guide her through the MTC experience.

Level Two – 6 weeksThis point of the program is generally referred

to as the “feeling phase.” The women begin to address the underlying reasons why they used drugs and alcohol as a coping response and self-medication to mask the pain of a previous trauma.

Addiction = Denial Sobriety = Truth

Level Three – 6 weeks

Program participants are enmeshed with classes and groups and their days are highly structured.

They continue to update their treatment plan along the way.

Level Four – 4 weeks

Participants begin working with the Discharge Planning Coordinator to prepare for re-entry into the community.

Level Four – 4 weeks

At this level, the women are allowed to go out on re-integration appointments for driver’s licenses, state I.D.’s, and etc.

They are also able to participate in the monthly “Lessons Learned” ceremony and attend PNA graduations.

Level Four – 4 weeks

Able to make general announcements to the community.

Generally seen as role models in the unit.

Final Phase -- Aftercare

The final phase of treatment includes 12 months of aftercare linkages to social services for proper re-entry into the community. This may include transitional housing or having to participate in another treatment program for continued care.

Case management provided by Project Impact w/Operation PAR, Inc.

Weekly Summary of Participation1. Client’s overall attitude and behavior:

PositiveNeutral Resistant Negative

2. Client’s participation in small group:PositiveNeutral Resistant Negative

3. Client’s participation in the community:PositiveNeutral Resistant Negative

4. No. of interventions client received from Detention Staff: _____

5. Client completed all homework assignments: Yes/No/NA

6. Quality of completed homework: Acceptable/Unacceptable

Program Goals & ObjectivesProject Success’ overarching goal is to reduce

the substance abuse relapse and re-incarceration of project Participants by providing:

Individual and group counseling Individualized treatment plans Case management Preparation for re-entry into the community Life and job skills training

Classes/Groups OfferedThe Program provides a

combination of the following classes and groups:

• Errors in Criminal Thinking• PAR Groups• Relapse Prevention• Clinical Pharmacology• Self-esteem/Empowerment• Stress and Anger Management• Resume and essay writing• Art Movement Therapy• GED and Computer Literacy • Rational Emotional Therapy• Money Management• 12 Step Programs (AA/NA/CA)

• HIV Education• Parenting• PTEC• Domestic Violence Education• Seeking Safety• Graduate Teachbacks• Guest Speakers• Peer Support• Bible Study• Structured Leisure Activities• Seeking Safety

While in classes or groups• No talking during groups

unless asked to by the teacher.

• Cannot leave the group to go to the restroom unless it is an emergency.

• Cannot skip groups: more than 3 absences will result in having to re-take the class.

• Cannot arrive late: two late arrivals will result in a write-up.

• Keep hands to yourself.• Respectful of the teacher and others in the group.• Focus on learning.• Be involved.• No eating. • No visitation during group

unless prearranged.

Giving & Receiving Concerns Not following and obeying the rules preceded

the participants’ incarceration. Starting to respect others and accepting the

rules begins the process of becoming aware of their present behaviors.

Receiving concerns is normal and often occurs in the first few months of the program.

Why Concerns are given Calling a participant on her ill conduct

reinforces the fact that it is an unacceptable behavior in the community.

Advising a participant she acted against the rules allows individuals to speak their minds – to become assertive – and not allow things to happen that they know are wrong.

Concerns about Talking• Use Library Language: this means keep the volume down. • Do not use profanity.• No one is to talk on the stairs or from upstairs to downstairs.• No talking in groups or classes.• No gossiping about others.• Forget about the “good old days” and no glamorizing of old drug life.• Keep confidential what is said in groups or classes. • Do not share information on telephones, during visits, in letters, or in the community.

Concerns about Food

• In this program and in Central Division you are not to share food from your tray or your commissary.• You may not ask others for their food.• No food from your trays or drinks are to be in the carpeted areas or in your room.• Respect at the microwave (clean it out after using).

Concerns and Self-Monitoring Participants no longer give one another

essays as a consequence to a concern. It’s no longer seen as punitive in the community.

Participants monitor their own behavior and give one another concerns out of caring and assistance to their fellow sisters in recovery.

Detention Staff maintains the ability to give work assignments to Participants as a consequence per their discretion.

Detention and Clinical Staff continue to have authority to issue essays to Participants.

What does the essay have to What does the essay have to include?include?Why is this a rule?Why is it important that I follow that

rule?How can this behavior affect my

recovery?How does this behavior contribute to

any possible relapse?How might this behavior disrupt the

community?

Write-ups from Detention Staff•Detention Staff can give a write-up for behavior and non-compliance.

•For Levels One, Two or Three:

More than 3 write-ups during 30 days will result in a behavioral contract

Participant may be sent back to previous level for two weeks

For Level Four:

•You will remain in the program an additional two weeks.•A letter could be sent to the Judge.

Items on top of bunk or messy bunks

Being disrespectful to a Detention Deputy

Being on the phone when you’re not allowed

Wearing only pajamas out of your room

Not getting up for breakfast or not eating a meal (for Orientation, Level One, and Level Two).

Tied bed sheets

Items left out after 9:30 pm

Going into the visitation room when you don’t have a visitor

Sharing food off your tray or giving away commissary

Being upstairs when you live downstairs

Being in someone else’s room

Loudness or causing a disruption

Feet in chairs

Concerns for Detention Staff resulting in a concern, consequence or write-up:

•Disobeying of these rules and any others may result in a verbal reprimand or work detail by Detention Staff depending on the amount of times the rule is broken and the discretion of the Detention Deputy on duty.

Detention Staff involvement Safety and Security

Consistency/Structure

Reinforce the rules of PCJ/Central Division/Project Success

Discipline

Program Committees Orientation

Members assign Big Sisters to new participants; type names for folders; give out orientation manual, Big Sister packet, and Central & P.S. rules.

Computer

Assist fellow participants with computer; and monitors usage and sign-in sheet.

Committees cont. Facilities

Chairperson schedules wrap up; facilitates morning meeting; supply paperwork; and passes out weekly schedules.

Education

Schedules teachbacks to the community; produces book reports; and tutors others when needed.

Committees cont. Recreation Operates VCR/DVD

in unit; distributes art supplies; keeps games in order; schedules volleyball/basketball/tourney games. Has access to storage cabinet.

Affirmation

Read and write positive affirmations at every morning meeting; and write inspirational sayings on the community board.

Committees cont. Events

Records graduations & milestones in the community and creates birthday cards for participants.

Steering

Reviews entire program for efficacy; looks at how participants are oriented; and gives feedback on the direction of the program.

ExpectationsAlthough Staff may have expectations of the women

in the program, we must take into consideration they are human and will make mistakes. Sometimes these expectations may be too great.

Participants should be encouraged to problem solve among themselves as a means of teaching them responsibility.

Utilize Level Fours in the community.

About Project Success Began Accepting Women:

July 2001

First Graduating Class:

January 2002

Current Number of Program Participants:

53

About Project Success Total Number of Graduates as of June

2004:

*** Outcomes

71% remained drug free

59% remained arrest free

Ramona Jubar MerrittRamona Jubar MerrittProgram AdministratorProgram Administrator

Project SuccessProject Success phone: 727-453-7183phone: 727-453-7183

fax: 727-453-7223 fax: 727-453-7223 rmerritt@pcsonet.comrmerritt@pcsonet.com

i.i.  ”T”This presentation was prepared for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, James T. Moore, Commissioner, in his presentation was prepared for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, James T. Moore, Commissioner, in

cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.” June 2001cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.” June 2001ii.ii.      “This program is supported by a grant awarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida, and “This program is supported by a grant awarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State of Florida, and by the Bureau of Justice Assistance(BJA), Office of Justice Programs(OJP), U.S. Department of Justice. The BJA is a by the Bureau of Justice Assistance(BJA), Office of Justice Programs(OJP), U.S. Department of Justice. The BJA is a component of OJP which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile component of OJP which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile

Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.”Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.”iii.iii.    “Points of view, opinions, and conclusions expressed in this presentation are those of the recipient and do not “Points of view, opinions, and conclusions expressed in this presentation are those of the recipient and do not

necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. necessarily represent the official position or policies of the State of Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, or any other agency of the state of federal government. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, or any other agency of the state of federal government.