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About SMART
Photograph: Mike Bleeg, Interim Secretary/Coordinator Mike Bleeg, Donald Hardaway, Jr.
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< Acronyms: translation everyone needs occasionally. >
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1. SMART.
2. Reentry in Monroe County.
3. Recidivism.
4. Recidivism Reduction.
5. Evidence-Based Performance.
6. Broad Collaboration.
7. Similar Steps Elsewhere.
Safer Monroe Area Reentry Team (SMART) is dedicated to improving the prospects of men & women reentering society from prisons & jails. SMART does not provide direct reentry services. SMART promotes collaboration, efficacy of direct & indirect services, service expansion, mutual assistance, education, & advocacy. SMART thus promotes public safety, reduces recidivism, & improves quality of life for individuals, families, & neighborhoods. [2010 Objectives](w/attached form soliciting assistance & volunteers) [Bylaws][Contents]
SMART is voluntary organization, a forum for discussion, an agency of collaboration & change. It's an advocate for improving prospects of men & women reentering society from prisons & jails back to Monroe County, New York. Rochester is the largest municipality in Monroe County & seat of its government. Its poorer neighborhoods are the hardest impacted by crime & recidivism.
SMART's five 2009 objectives were Learning, Collaboration, Information for Needs Assessment, Public Awareness, & Provider Capacity. For details, including grants, client & provider surveys, Reentry cards, & assistance to member organizations, click on "2009 Objectives & Achievements" above. [Contents]
Reentry is a critical point from which to view our community. Yearly, 2,500 men & women leave incarceration & attempt to adjust to life in Monroe County. Without proper behavior & assistance, up to 70% of these persons are rearrested for crimes. Many are sentenced & sent back to jail w/in a short time & surely in three years. See Monroe County Reentry Task Force. [Contents]
Recidivism unevenly affects families & neighborhoods. It has devastating effects on loved ones, public safety, health & well-being, governmental operations, & taxpayers. Realistically, we believe carefully planned, collaborative, & comprehensive reentry improvement will reduce recidivism by 25% or more & pay off economically. Among urgent needs is safe housing linked to supportive programming & other reentry services. In 2003, Mike Bleeg wrote about the community's shortage of ca. 1,000 beds. Mike's 4-page article, as it appeared in Justicia: p. 1, p. 2, p. 3, p. 4. Also, the original 31-page report; & a one-page executive summary. [Contents]
Recidivism reduction is now a major policy objective of New York State, exemplified in the 100+ page preliminary report of the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform. Monroe County is doing its part. The report cited above indicates changes seriously being considered, discussed w/the public, yet still subject to revision. The testimony of three Monroe County activists -- Ann Graham of Monroe County Reentry, Carl Hatch, & Bob Seidel -- is linked here. [Contents]
SMART supports the local development of evidence-base programs & services by the Monroe County Reentry Task Force (see Monroe County Reentry tab), the Judicial Process Commission, Spiritus Christi Prison Ministries, Step by Step of Rochester, inc., & many others. [Contents]
SMART applauds the leadership of, & broad collaboration among, many. These include the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Department of Probation, Jail, and Correctional Facility; the State's Division of Criminal Justice Services, Department of Corrections, Division of Parole, & Department of Mental Health; & many other public & private organizations. For the portion of the reentry population that is most vulnerable, at risk, & willing, they help with safe housing, health care, nutrition, employment services, transportation, & relationships. [Contents]
Other cities & states actively pursue reentry initiatives, reducing recidivism & accomplishing goals that SMART & its collaborators have in their sights. Chicago & Massachusetts are two. [Contents]
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© SMART 2010 |
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