Onondaga County Re-entry Task Force (OCRTF).pdf

- Establishment & Purpose: Founded in 2008 with a grant from the Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Onondaga County Re-entry Transition Forum (OCRTF) aims to facilitate the successful transition of formerly incarcerated individuals back into the community, reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.

- Composition & Approach: Comprising key stakeholders, including state and county representatives and community partners, OCRTF follows the research-informed re-entry model developed by the National Institute of Corrections. It focuses on removing barriers and utilizing evidence-based practices to support re-entry.

- Goal: OCRTF seeks to eliminate policy and practice barriers hindering access to basic needs and services during the initial transition from prison to the community. Through public outreach, education, and community collaboration, it provides a fully supported re-entry transition, increasing success and creating productive outcomes.

- Leadership & Contact: Marlene Klock, Onondaga County Re-entry Coordinator, leads OCRTF. Contact information includes the John H. Mulroy Civic Center address, phone number, and email ([email protected]), with an online presence at www.onreentry.org.

- Partners & Impact: OCRTF collaborates with various agencies, including the County Departments of Social Services and Mental Health, the State Departments of Corrections & Community Supervision and Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse. It addresses the significant number of individuals under correctional control (1 in 31 adults in the US) and the challenges they face, such as mental illness and high rearrest rates.

- Benefits & Community Engagement: Successful re-entry benefits both individuals (personal growth, reduced crime, economic improvement) and the community (community stability, reconciled families, broken criminal cycles). Community collaboration, inspired excellence, and shared resources improve outcomes and reduce service duplication. OCRTF provides a forum for stakeholders to come together and embrace the formerly incarcerated.