Life Skills Project: Michael D. Jalazo

Journal of Correctional Education, Jun 2005 by Jalazo, Michael D

Project Background

* Describe the reentry/life skills problem or issue this program addressed.

Project New Attitudes overarching goal is to reduce the recidivism rate of project participants by delivering life skills training, combined with a comprehensive case management aftercare component, necessary for gaining and sustaining employment and resources upon re-entry into the community.

* Describe the agency and partners involved.

* The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) is the county's largest law enforcement agency, providing law enforcement services to over 400,000 of its residents who reside in the unincorporated areas of the county and in cities that have contracted with PCSO for law enforcement services. Further, PCSO is responsible for all jail operations countywide. PCSO is one of a very few agencies nationwide to hold the distinction of being triply accredited -in law enforcement, corrections and health services.

The Pinellas County Detention and Corrections Bureau (the county jail) is the site where all Pinellas County felony and misdemeanor arrestees are booked and held for trial. With an average daily county at approximately 3000, approximately 23% of these people are county sentenced and thus eligible to participate in Project New Attitudes.

PCSO and PNA have partnered with the Pinellas Technical Education Centers (PTEC), the Pinellas County Extension services program, Pinellas County Human Services, Mt. Zion Progressive Baptist Church Human Services, the Center for Conscious Living (faith based), Dixie Hollins High Schools' ABE/CED program, the Pinellas Ex Offender Reentry Coalition, the Public Defenders Office/State Attorney's Office/Judicial Administration of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Florida and various other faith based and community based resources to implement both the residential and aftercare portions program.

Target Population

* Describe the demographics of the population served (i.e. sex, age, ethnic origin, education level attained).

The demographics of the population served by Project New Attitudes always have and remains varied. The program was designed to serve only men whose age has run from 17 through those in their late 60's, and any combination in between. Ethnic origin as well has been all over the charts. There has been a set of commonalities - Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic - which at times has produced challenges in terms of 'cliques', but generally diversity is part of what is taught and the challenges presented by race and ethnicity have been overcome easily in general. Outside of those three larger groups, individuals from other ethnic origins have been represented as well. Education levels as well have been quite diverse. Project New Attitudes has served those with 1st or 2nd grade education/reading levels, up through master's level participants. Each participant is TABE tested upon entry, and individual education plans are part of the greater treatment plan that is created. A large number of general education diplomas have been awarded since the inception of Project New Attitudes by program participants, as this too is molded into the education plan of those who test as such and haven't achieved a high school diploma upon program entry; as well many have participated in adult basic education classes without obtaining a GED.

* Total number of participants served by the program:

TOTAL NUMBER FORMALLY SCREENED 1760

CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN PNA 45

CONTROL CROUP (for groups 1-35) 166

EARLY RELEASES 68

INELIGIBLE 66

OPTED OUT/AFTER ADMISSION 185

OPTED OUT / BEFORE ADMISSION 143

REMOVED FOR CAUSE 231

GRADUATES OF PNA 856

Program Description

* Describe the services/resources provided to participants.

Numerous services and resources are provided to program participants both residentially and in the aftercare portions of the program. Residentially, curriculum includes topics such as self-development, communication skills, job skills development, education, interpersonal relationship development, criminal thinking, stress and anger management, as well as accessing social service and community resources and other such lessons. Programming takes place over a nine-week consecutive period, Monday through Saturday, at a minimum of eight hours per day (Some days will have programming over a thirteen hour period with adjustments for lock down, counts, and meals). Each nine-week session sees the enrollment of 64 participants staggered in groups of either 21 or 22 participants by phase. Phase I is the belonging portion, Phase 11 is the skill building portion, and Phase III is the reentry portion. Each phase lasts three weeks. Participants must complete assignments, participate in programming, and pass a counselor and peer review to graduate to each phase, and finally from the program. Programming is delivered utilizing a Modified Therapeutic Community approach in a project-designated direct supervision pod. This is separate from the general jail population to enhance a sense of belonging and community.