Nebraska prisons are introducing new ways to mentally prepare inmates for reentry into society.
According to officials, Nebraska is the first state to offer reentry training that teaches inmates strategies for success and puts them at the head of the class.
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) is providing inmates with new opportunities that will help them once released. Deputy Director, Dawn- Renee Smith says this new initiative is something that brings new meaning to rehabilitation.
It’s a strength-based approach and so we look at where people are today and what we need to increase and what will make them more successful as they go back into the community. So, we look at five primary factors or keys to wellbeing development and those are things that will increase their ability to connect with people and their families, on the job, find meaningful work opportunities and connect with their children.
The program called the “Five Keys for Wellbeing Development” is comprised of healthy thinking patterns, positive relationships, positive social engagement, meaningful work trajectories and effective coping strategies.
Nebraska is taking the lead to create the best outcomes for reentry. Deputy Director Smith explains how this program was created by faculty as well as incarcerated inmates.
Nebraska has been on the forefront of programing when it comes to peer delivery, so we are training individuals that are currently incarcerated to deliver these programs to their peers. So, the benefit of that is that they walk in the door with credibility built in, so individuals are more likely to listen to people who have been where they are.
Although NDCS previously used rehabilitation programs, Deputy Director Smith says this is a more holistic approach to several issues inmates might face upon being released.
This program looks at everything that’s needed for wellbeing and so it’s not just focused on how you think, it’s not just focused on creating family support, it’s not just focused on family opportunities, but it’s focused on all of those things working in conjunction with each other to have a 360 approach to wellbeing.
NDCS is now kicking off phase 2, of this 3-year project, with 4 new programs.
When this project is completed they hope it will reduce recidivism rates, which are rearrests, reconvictions and returning to prison.
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