On the Road of Rebuilding

Opportunities for People Who Have Been Incarcerated

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

Homelessness and incarceration have left justice involved individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) on outskirts of our society. Recidivism rate of previously incarcerated individuals is 50.4%. Among individuals with SMI, this rate jumps (especially among those with co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD)), presenting a risk to the individuals in question and communities in which they live, and a burden on the judicial system and taxpayers. In contrast, despite an SMI/SUD co-occurring rate of 80%, CONREP recidivism rate is less than 1%. Recently released from incarceration or deemed incompetent to stand trial, intake data shows 60% of CONREP clients have chronic health issues, 80% have co-occurring SUD, and 90-95% have limited financial means. They need access to medical/mental health services, employment and/or benefits, and they must comply with the requirements of their release.Clothes and toiletries will bolster self-esteem, safeguarding against depression/isolation.

On the Road of Rebuilding will support our existing Conditional Release Program (CONREP). It will provide as many as 120 individuals with up to 70 transports each month. Transports will include visits to medical and mental health care, dental and eye doctor appointments, support groups (including SUD appointments and meetings), employment opportunities, skills training courses, educational activities, court mandated appointments (including parole office visits and court appearances), and recreational activities. On the Road of Rebuilding will also provide incoming CONREP participants with basic wardrobe staples and toiletries, allowing for a smoother transition of these marginalized individuals as they navigate their adjustment back into the community. Contracting with the Department of State Hospitals, CONREP is largest provider of mental health and SUD recovery services for a niche class of justice system-involved individuals in LA County. The up to 120 individuals engaged by CONREP at any time represent the following: - 100% have been justice system-involved with the overwhelming majority being perpetrators of violent crimes-all felony level offenses, - 99% present with SMI, with more than half displaying both an affective and psychotic component, - The remaining 1% present with substance-induced psychosis, and - At least 80% of the individuals experience co-occurring SUD, which, when coupled with SMI, exponentially increases an individuals' risk for violence.

California, and LA in particular, is a place of limitless reinvention. The opportunity to start over is limited for individuals who have been justice involved, especially those with SMI/SUD issues. Instead, these individuals are at great risk of returning homelessness, chronic illness, isolation and depression, and criminality. At the very least, we feel individuals should be given a fair opportunity to re-enter society. Providing CONREP clients with the means to access care, support and financial opportunities will allow for some level of equity in the field of reinvention. It is obvious that individuals who are neglected and uncared for, especially those who have mental illness and/or are at-risk of participating in criminal activity due to mental illness, are a public wellbeing issue. By providing CONREP clients with a helping hand, we envision an L.A. in which homelessness and criminal activity can be reduced and health and wellbeing can be restored.

Reliable access to care and supportive services appointments is essential to the continued wellbeing of our clients. By providing reliable transportation to 120 individuals enrolled in CONREP and basic clothing/toiletries to as many as 96 newcomers each year, we anticipate the following: - Decreased levels of anxiety and agitation, - Increased levels of health and wellbeing due to participation in off-site healthcare services, - Increased compliance with healthcare directives, resulting in lower rates of diabetes and pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, - Increased client health/wellbeing, - Increased ability to provide appropriate services to current clients, - increased community access to critical care transportation and team members. CONREP's success -- including decreased levels of anxiety and agitation, and decreased exposure to trauma -- is ascertained by trained clinical professionals using a variety of therapeutic tools, including the Trauma-Informed Care Grade.