Reentry Center Prepares Missourians for Release from Prison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       

Dec. 10, 2019
Contact: Karen Pojmann
Communications Director
Office: 573-522-1118
Cell: 573-690-7539
karen.pojmann@doc.mo.gov

 

Reentry Center Prepares Missourians for Release from Prison

Dec. 13 open house showcases transition services inside Tipton Correctional Center

(TIPTON, MISSOURI) – About 96% of Missourians who enter state prisons ultimately are released back into our communities. To equip them with skills and resources they need to be good neighbors, the Missouri Department of Corrections connects people leaving prison with organizations that make the transition smoother.

Now, for the first time in department history, a reentry center is operating inside a Missouri state prison. In the Reentry Center at Tipton Correctional Center, offenders nearing release can search for and apply for jobs; explore education opportunities; get help navigating child support processes; participate in computer concepts training; and sign up for social services such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Missouri’s Medicaid program (MO HealthNet).

Access to these services helps boost employment success while reducing risk and recidivism, making Missouri safer.

“The Reentry Center is a very innovative and efficient use of state resources,” says Missouri Department of Corrections Reentry Coordinator Shelle Jacobs. “In the past, the men and women releasing from Missouri prisons have had to navigate through these services after release. This meant multiple visits to multiple locations on top of all of the other pressures. We are now bringing all of these services to one place where offenders can access them prior to release. It just makes sense.”

Opening Friday, Dec. 13, the Reentry Center at Tipton Correctional Center is a collaboration among reentry partners including the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, the Central Workforce Development Board, the Department of Social Services, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Vocational Rehab, Missouri community colleges, and State Technical College of Missouri.

Who:             Missouri Department of Corrections Office of Reentry Services

What:            Reentry Center Ribbon Cutting and Open House

When:            9-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2019

Where:           Tipton Correctional Center
                       619 North Osage Ave., Tipton, MO 65018

To attend in person, please contact Karen Pojmann no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Background checks are required.