Celebrate Safe Communities

Safe communities are the result of law enforcement working with residents as equal partners in preventing crime. In recognition of this principle, BJA, the National Crime Prevention Council, and the National Sheriffs' Association have joined together to Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC). The CSC project will help kickoff October as Crime Prevention Month by recognizing the vital role residents play in keeping their neighborhoods safe. From October 2-4, 2008, communities across the country will host crime prevention events in neighborhoods, with schools, and in collaboration with local businesses. For more information about starting or participating in an event, visit www.CelebrateSafeCommunities.org.

October-National Cyber Security Awareness Month

October has been designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to bring attention to the importance of protecting yourself, your family and your information online.

There Is Hope For Ex-offenders

Second to mental health concerns, employment is the most critical issue to a successful re-entry into the community, a meaningful assimilation into society, and a preventative to re-offense, re-charge, and recidivism.

• 67.5% of all incarcerated people return to jail/prison within 36 months of release

• Those that exit who have planned and prepared and have a support network are 75% less likely to return. In fact, recidivism rates drop to less than 30% nationally – for those who have invested time and energy to KNOW WHAT THEY MUST DO IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND SET A NEW DIRECTION
  

• There are numerous forums, agencies, not-for-profits, churches, para-churches, and service providers that are committed to an ex-offenders success…. Ex-offenders just have to know who they are and what they offer

Source: New Directions ™

There Are Many Ex-offender Options Available

Ex-offenders have many resources to help them re-enter the local community.

• Prison Fellowship Ministries can provide a variety of resources to the ex-offender

• State agencies have resources, funds, and services available to ex-offenders in transitioning back into society (for instance: Department of Housing, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, Department of Labor, Department of Corrections, Department of Workforce Development, etc.)
  

• There are hundreds of organizations throughout each state that express interest in meeting the needs of, and visiting incarcerated individuals
  

• There are many services available to ex-offenders through a variety of service networks (i.e. Goodwill, The Salvation Army, The United Way, Prison Fellowship, local area churches, and numerous faith–based organizations seeking to implement federal and state initiatives on the ex-offender's behalf)
  

Source: New Beginnings ™

The Sobering Facts

• 95% of all state prisoners will be released from prison at some point, few are in ‘forever’
• Of those turned over to parole boards supervision, only 41% successfully completed their term of supervision
• 67.5% of all released offenders are rearrested within 36 months
• 46.9% of those that re-enter are returned due to a ‘reconviction’
• 25% of those are re-sentenced to prison for a ‘new crime’
• 51% of those that were put back into prison, either committed another ‘new crime’ and received a corresponding new sentence or violated the rules of their parole

Source:  Federal Bureau of Prison / Department of Justice

3-Way Detection

Many facilities use Securus' superior 3-way prevention system to prevent 3-way calling activity. This detects and terminates all potential 3-way calls. Users should understand what causes actual and false (potential) 3-way call responses and subsequent call terminations. Understanding what causes a 3-way call termination will prevent false 3-way call interruptions. Your facility has made this list available to you to assist you in preventing unwarranted 3-way call terminations.

Potential call terminating false 3-way responses:

• Do NOT attempt a 3-way call. All 3-way calls will be immediately terminated
• Ask the person you called to NOT use a speaker phone or amplified phone 
• Ask the person you called to NOT use a cordless phone out of range or one with static problems 
• Ask the person you called to NOT accept call waiting during your call 
• Do NOT yell into the phone 
• Do NOT cup a hand over the mouthpiece to mute or cut out background noise 
• Do NOT cough into the phone 
• Ask the person you called to NOT pick up another extension during the call. If this is necessary, ask them to speak immediately after picking up the extension 
• Ask friends and family members to begin their conversation immediately after accepting the call