According to a Spokane County corrections official, local jails release roughly 280 people to the streets of Spokane every week. Approximately 40% of those released weekly are either homeless or at-risk of homelessness and more than 60% have no connection to supportive services.
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Maud Booth
little mother of the prisons
Our prisoner re-entry program is named for Volunteers of America co-founder Maud Booth, whose lifelong dedication to pris¬on reform was a vital component in the development of the modern parole system and the creation of the nation’s first halfway house for released prisoners.
Her 52-year prison ministry and reform crusade may be said to have begun at Sing Sing prison on Sunday, May 24, 1896. An un¬known prisoner transcribed her promise:
"I don't come here to prevent you from paying the just penalty of your crimes,” she told them. “Take your medicine like men. When you have paid the penalty, I will help you. I will nurse you back to health. I will get you work. Above all, I will trust you. It depends on you whether I keep on doing so or not. Mind, I will help you over the rough places, but I will not carry you."
It had an electrifying effect. Fifty convicts stood up, prayed together and pledged to remake their lives. Maud soon became known as "The Little Mother of the Prisons." To this day, the Maud Booth award is one of the most prestigious honors within the correctional services community. |
Rebuilding lives, reducing recidivism
Men and women released to homelessness after completing prison sentences are far more likely to fall into cycles of poverty and drug use that lead to repeat offenses.
On the other hand, stabilizing ex-offenders in housing and employment, complemented by job mentoring and other supports, has been shown to reduce recidivism by 90 percent.
Coming home for good
This three year program, funded by Spokane County, is an innovative collaboration between local criminal-justice, behavioral-health and social-service providers who offer the wraparound support and supervision those completing their sentences need to successfully re-enter the community.
At Maud’s House, our work begins before an inmate is released. A team of specialists, including Maud’s House staff, meets with each inmate to assess housing needs, behavioral health issues, and vocational skill levels. The team also creates an intensive, wrap-around case management plan tailored to address and resolve the needs of each ex-offender as he/she transitions back into the community.
Male participants move into Maud’s House where complete a community reorientation program. Working one-on-one with a case manager, participants set tangible reintegration goals that help rebuild their lives and prepare them to thrive on their own.
One-on-one, wraparound support
From their first meeting with one of our staff to long after they have started steady jobs and moved into their own places, Maud’s House and other components of the program offer access to vital supportive services including:
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responsible renter certification
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independent-living skills
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physical health education
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access to health care
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mental-health services
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therapeutic counseling
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substance-abuse treatment
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job-interest assessment
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vocational training
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employment readiness instruction
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job search assistance
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job placement & mentoring
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rental assistance
At Maud's House, seeing people's potential is just the beginning. We are committed to being there, never giving up. When participants are ready for permanent housing, we stay with them until they have steady work and an appropriate living situation.