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Drugs & Crime Update- Feb 19th

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Crime and Drugs Initiative Update

February 19th, 2015

At our January 15th meeting, the research committee narrowed in on a problem statement for our focus:

The Problem: 3,150 inmates struggle with substance abuse in our regional jail each year. A majority of inmates who are women are survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence.

What that means for our initiative: We have the opportunity to address this problem in the jail, during sentencing, and in the community (especially during re-entry). Our question is: what is the most effective place, and what is the most effective method of treatment for this population?

In the past month we have learned:

  • Important elements of treatment:
    • Treatment that keeps the individual’s support system intact
    • Treatment that is holistic- addressing substance abuse and trauma such as sexual assault or abuse
  • In Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional jail
    • How jail treatment helps reduce the number of individuals (who are in jail) with substance abuse: If programs in the jail are effective, they can provide treatment so that individuals do not return again.
    • The jail currently has:
      • Some of the opportunities in jail include Therapeutic Community, AA/NA, and Celebrate Recovery
      • We have a Therapeutic Community (TC) in our jail, which is a 12-month “value-based behavioral modification treatment. TC focuses on the elimination of antisocial behavior and attitudes and the acquisition of a more prosocial lifestyle”.
      • The average length of stay in the jail is 5 months
      • Last year the TC served 114 individuals- there are 24 spaces for men, with an approximate waiting list of 20 at a time
      • The TC for women is currently suspended and has never had a firm footing. This is due in part to a low census of women and lack of motivation to participate.
    • Areas to explore
      • Best practices for in-jail treatment
  • In sentencing
    • How options during sentencing can help reduce the number of individuals (who are in jail) with substance abuse: Changes in sentencing options can divert individuals from jail and give them opportunities for community-based care or treatment. In addition, diversion programs can help reduce recidivism and are often a cheaper alternative to jail.
    • During sentencing our community currently has:
      • We currently have Adult Drug Court, which served only 113 individuals last year. This program is consistent with the rest of the state- 50% of individuals complete the program.
      • Recidivism among drug court graduates is 11%, as compared to the 71% for the greater population.
      • Sentencing can be an opportunity for motivation to take part in jail-based programs by shortening sentences if they participate
    • Areas to explore
      • Effective diversion programs
  • In the community (after re-entry)
    • How treatment in the community can help reduce the number of individuals (who are in jail) with substance abuse: Re-entry programs in the community can help ex-offenders stay out of prison; they can also provide options for individuals who need help before they come into contact with law enforcement
    • Our community currently has the following programs:
      • Peer support programs such as Celebrate Recovery Outside and AA/NA: During re-entry former inmates can continue their treatment with Celebrate Recovery, a Christian based program, along with AA/NA
      • OAR Re-entry Program: Reduces barriers to successful reintegration into the community. 2014 OAR’s Re-entry program led all Virginia programs
      • District #9 Probation and Parole: Can make substance abuse treatment as terms of parole. This treatment is outsourced by a contractor but no real tracking of success
      • Region Ten Outpatient care: The bulk of Region Ten’s treatments. Provides individual and group therapy, peer support groups and case management
      • Private clinics: out of pocket only, don’t accept Medicaid or insurance
      • The Mohr Center: Men’s voluntary inpatient program that is often full and considered inadequate by numerous institutions
    • Areas to explore
      • Inpatient treatment and transitional housing

During the next month

  • Research specifics of best practices- Now that we have narrowed our focus to in the jail, during sentencing, and in the community, we will be asking for more specific information about evidence-based practices and programs.
  • Decide on our specific issue cut- When we come together on March 19th at the next research committee meeting, our goal will be to determine what we will recommend to address the problem we have identified.

UVA’s Pathway to Health Career Program Has Begun!

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  • UVA Medical Center investing approximately $218,000 to engage and hire 40 un-and underemployed 18-25 year-olds over the next 2 years
    • $90,000 is directly from the UVA Medical Center
  • Students will get:
    • Full tuition for 8-week Certified Nursing Assistant Training (Institution has 95% success rate)
    • Classes taught at night, in town, near a bus top
    • Day to day stipend
    • Work place readiness and other soft skills provided by Piedmont VA Community College
    • Peer mentorship provided by Charlottesville Works Initiative through the beginning to 12 months into employment at UVA
  • If successful, students can begin work at UVA Medical Center on June 1
    • Average salary of $12.99/hr, expecting a 6% raise in 12 months
    • Will receive mentorship from current nursing staff
    • Do not have to work at UVA Medical Center
  • Currently, there are 3 rotations per year
    • Next rotations begin in July, and October
    • Currently each rotation is 10 people
    • UVA Medical Center and Charlottesville Works Initiative are currently in conversations with other stake holders for possible expansion

If you know someone or if you qualify and would benefit from this program please contact:

Charlottesville Works Initiative

209 5th Street N.E.

Charlottesville, VA 22902

(434) 996-6780

First Rung Collaborative Strategy Committee

Mary Preston, Peace Lutheran Church

John Frazee, St. Paul’s Memorial Church

January 17, 2015 Update

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The Research Committee met on 1/15, tasked at reviewing the data from the 11 research visits that have occurred. The committee came to a consensus to create a problem statement that will focus on men and women in jail that need substance abuse treatment and that will recognize that the majority of those women are survivors of physical abuse (sexual, domestic, etc.). Our next set of visits will focus on when and where is best to intervene with substance abuse treatment. Below are some of the key data and trends we’ve found thus far:

  • About 42% of women (1,153) in 2014 were at Region 10 for substance abuse problems
  • About 70% of inmates (3,150) at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail need substance abuse treatment
    • Approximately 315 are female, and 2,835 are male
  • 1 of 5 arrests in Albemarle since 2009 have been related to substance abuse (total= 20,687)
    • 942 arrested per year on average involving substance abuse
      • 740 males arrested per year on average, 202 females arrested per year on average
    • On average 1,104 people are arrested in Charlottesville involving a substance
      • 164 females arrested per year on average
      • 940 males arrested per year on average

We have heard many of the same observations over the course of our research visits:

  1. More often than not, sexual assault/domestic violence and substance abuse go hand in hand (Charlottesville and Albemarle Police Department, Region 10, SARA, Regional Jail)
    • “It is important to explore interventions that promote positive recovery from substance use and sexual assault” (Hunter, B.A., Robinson, E., & Jason, L.A. (2012), SARA)
    • Anecdotally, 90% of women arrested for substance abuse have been sexually assaulted in the past (Charlottesville Police)
    • Anecdotally, 99% of women in jail that are in drug treatment come from a history of trauma and abuse (Region 10, Regional Jail)
  2. Some treatment exists but those who abuse substances often don’t take advantage of treatment (Region 10, Regional Jail, Probation and Parole)
    • About 315 women per year could use substance abuse treatment at the Regional Jail. They offer 8 spots for treatment but is never at capacity (Regional Jail)
  3. There is no medical detox or in-patient substance abuse treatment specifically for women in our community, and even those for men do not cover the need (Region 10, Albemarle Police, Women’s Initiative, Probation and Parole, Regional Jail)
    • Closest in patient programs for women are Culpeper, Roanoke and Richmond (Region 10)
    • Closest medical detox facilities for women are Lynchburg, Richmond and Culpeper (Region 10)

January 10, 2015 Update

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This week our Research Committee met with the Thomas Jefferson Area Crisis Intervention Team and District #9 Probation and Parole. We learned:

  • Approximately 13-15% of probationers and parolees need substance abuse treatment
  • Closest transitional housing for women suffering substance abuse is at least 2 hours away
  • Approximately 1 out of 5 inmates suffer from serious mental illness

We’re meeting with the following next week:

  • Charlottesville Police Department, 01/13/2015, 8:45am prep at TBD
  • Shelter for Help in Emergency, 01/16/2015. 12:45pm prep at St. Mark Lutheran Church

Please contact the IMPACT office if you would like to participate.

The next Research Committee Meeting is 1/15/2015, 6:30pm-8:00pm at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 100 Alderman Road. We will be reviewing key data and the strategy committee will recommend possible problem statements and next steps.

December 21, 2014 Update

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For many of us, this a season of waiting and expectancy. While many wait for gifts, loved ones and delicious desserts, there are many more that are waiting for something a little more substantial. We’re waiting for secure jobs that can support our families. We’re waiting for adequate, affordable health care so that we and our loved ones can get the treatment and care that we need. We await the glimmer of light in our times of despair and darkness. We wait for hope. While we wait, we often forget that we also have some power. And only by all of us working together, can we be successful in engaging with our waiting. Together we can seek and act…and work with the bringer of hope to Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Our justice ministry has done that year in and year out and we will continue to do that as long as we are waiting for change in our communities!

This week our Research Committee met with Family Treatment Drug Court, The Women’s Initiative and Sexual Assault Resource Agency. We learned:
  • Heroin is $4 per shot
  • “Prior assault increases risk for substance use and abuse, and substance use and abuse increases risk for assault”, Resnick, H.S., Walsh, K., Schumacher, J.A., Kilpatrick, D.G., & Acierno R. (2013)
  • Fourth time we’ve heard that a female detox and in-patient treatment is the biggest gap in our system
Here’s a list of the upcoming visits:
  • Crisis Intervention Team: January 6, prep 2:15pm, Location is TBD
  • District #9 Probation and Parole: January 8, prep 8:45am at First United Methodist Church
  • Shelter for Help in Emergency: tentatively January 16, prep 12:45pm at TBD
Also don’t forget the next Research Committee Meeting is January 15, 6:30pm-8:00pm at St. Mark Lutheran Church 100 Alderman Road.