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Home My WebLink AboutIR 9824 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9824 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 8, 2015 ° rte Page 1 of 4 �i �i1 Y SUBJECT: FEDERAL AND STATE INMATE RELEASE r�rA re�a This Informal Report provides Fort Worth City Council information on how FWPD plans to address the pending/proposed release of federal and state inmates. Federal Release Due to policy changes by the U.S. Sentencing Commission, we anticipate that approximately 6100 federal inmates incarcerated for drug offenses will have their prison sentences reduced. It is important to note, these changes do not apply to violent offenders or those who have led smuggling rings or criminal enterprises/groups. Texas will receive the largest number of prisoners affected by the policy change, 597. Upon contact with the Texas Northern U.S. Probation Office, we learned that seventeen of those inmates are scheduled for release to Tarrant County. The Fort Worth Police Department does receive regular notifications regarding the release of inmates convicted of violent offenses. Federal Reentry and Integration The Federal Bureau of Prisons contracts with Residential Re-entry Centers (RRCs), also known as halfway houses, to assist inmates who are nearing release. RRCs provides structured, supervised environments, as well as counseling, job placement, and other critical services. As a prisoner re-entry program, RRC helps inmates to rebuild and reestablish their ties to the community gradually, and facilitates supervising offenders' activities during this critical readjustment phase. State Release The Texas Department of Corrections releases approximately 220 inmates into Tarrant County per month. This agency provides funding and oversight of the community supervision programs, and is responsible for the supervision of offenders released from prison on parole or mandatory supervised release. The Parole Division, District Reentry Fort Worth (1) coordinates with the DOC on the release inmates, but there is currently not a mechanism in place for coordination with FWPD. State Reentry and Integration To aid in reducing recidivism, the Reentry and Integration Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) provides a three-phased Reentry Program for releasing adult offenders into communities. State legislative mandates, proven best practices, and a set of core values designed to establish a comprehensive reentry and integration place guide their mission. This program prepares offenders for successful reintegration into the community after release from TDCJ. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9824 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 8, 2015 ° rte Page 2of4 �i �i1 Y SUBJECT: FEDERAL AND STATE INMATE RELEASE r�rA re�a • Phase I — Identification Processing-assist eligible offenders in obtaining replacement social security card, certified birth certificate, and state identification card at time of release. • Phase II — Assessment and Reentry Planning — completion of risk and needs assessment with individual case planning provided to those at moderate to high risk of re-offending. • Phase III — Community Reentry Services — provides post-release individual case management, employment readiness training and employment services. • Veterans Reentry Services — assist veterans in obtaining record of military services, completion of veteran's benefits application, linkage to military peer support services and continuity of care. Supervision and Monitoring The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division is charged with the supervised release and monitoring of inmates. In cases involving high-risk offenders or service of warrants for parole violations, TDCJ-PD contacts the city of Fort Worth PD to provide assistance. FWPD participates in the Project Safe Neighborhoods Probation and Parole Reentry Program. On a monthly basis, a representative from Fort Worth Police Department speaks to parolees regarding gun crimes as a deterrent from recidivism. Fort Worth Police Department Role in Reentry and Reintegration Two important goals of reentry programs that specifically involve law enforcement are public safety and officer safety. Five (5) Essential Reentry Partners • State Department of Corrections or local community corrections • Social service agencies • Community and faith based organizations • Other federal, state, regional, or contiguous law enforcement agency representatives • Political bodies responsible for funding and resource support ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9824 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 8, 2015 ° rte Page 3 of 4 �i �i1 Y SUBJECT: FEDERAL AND STATE INMATE RELEASE r�rA re�a Reentry Strategies • Ensure public safety- Collaborate with corrections agencies to notify crime victims of offender release dates and conditions of supervision, share information on and invite crime victim participation in post-release. • Build partnerships- Pool resources with a broad range of other stakeholders (i.e., social service providers, career-training agencies, the National Initiative, etc.). • Enhance offender supervision- Share offender supervision with community corrections by conducting joint patrols, home visits, or curfew checks to monitor offenders post- release. "Operation Spot Light" is a partnership between Fort Worth Officers and Officers from probation and parole to help monitor violent offenders. • Encourage offender voluntary compliance and accountability-Work with institutional and community corrections to develop reoffender reentry plans that focus on deterrent and promote pro-social activities. • Target enforcement efforts- Compile and analyze data on specific places/problem areas and risks associated with specific individuals or groups, to direct parolees and to focus resources on community policing and crime prevention strategies. • Exchange intelligence and share information— Work formally or informally with other law enforcement and corrections agencies to share information such as offenders release dates, supervision conditions, intelligence on known associates of offenders, or ongoing investigations involving high-risk offenders. • Engage the community- Communicate FWPD position on offender's reentry, market program efforts, and to seek support from the community and media. • Broker social services- Work with partner agencies to link offenders to programs and services that support successful transition into the community. The Fort Worth Police Department works with Texas Re-Entry Services, a non-profit group that offers a wide range of client services in partnership with other agencies in order to better prepare ex- offenders for their reentry into society. Services include intensive case management, information and referral, assistance with obtaining an ID, job readiness/life skills training, literacy/GED classes, Project RIO employment services, supportive housing for limited ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9824 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 8, 2015 h%Tti7e. ° rte Page 4of4 �i �i1 Y SUBJECT: FEDERAL AND STATE INMATE RELEASE r�rA rea homeless ex-offenders and their families, HIV testing, peer education, prescription assistance, and referrals for medical and mental health services. Founder and CEO Kay Smith can provide any additional information if requested. Chief Fitzgerald is available to answer questions or provide additional information. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS