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| Inmates Learn to Cope with Life Outside of Jail |
| By Charlotte Sun-Herald |
| Published: 11/25/2002 |
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Inmates at Charlotte County Jail are hitting the books. They're attending discussion sessions, logging onto computers and tackling everything from algebra and social studies to biology and writing. Jail treatment services, ranging from the GED program and substance abuse classes to community transition programs and church services, are apart of the jail's initiative to prepare inmates for life without bars. Since the Halcyon Group, a local counseling agency, joined the jail's effort in June, 211 inmates have participated in different psycho-educational groups within the jail. During a Tuesday workshop, officials said the groundbreaking programs teach inmates life skills that they hope will cut down on re-entry to the jail. 'We feel we're pioneers,' said Maj. John Davenport. 'I believe we've gone a little farther with implementation because we've taken a pro-active approach.' One of the programs offered helps inmates obtain their GED. Since the project began, 57 inmates have enrolled and all seven that have taken the GED test have passed, said Pat Cypher, resource teacher at the jail. Cypher said the GED program has grown from four hours of class per week with a part-time teacher to all-day classes with a full-time teacher. She said the classes include computer-aided instructions, group lectures and individual studies. '(The inmates) have been very successful in improving their academic skills,' Cypher said. 'We really want people to come back to our communities who have a good education so they can be good parents and good citizens.' Dr. Charles Starks of Charlotte County Mental Health Services heads the jail's Substance Abuse Prevention program. In order to end the repeated cycle of drug and alcohol use among inmates, Starks meets with them in the final weeks of their county sentence. 'The majority of them will come back because of substance abuse,' Starks said. 'They get high, they get stupid. We know if people quit using drugs and alcohol, for the most part, they quit breaking the law.' County mental health services provides lectures, reading materials and group discussion formats to address substance abuse issues, Starks said. While Starks helps to stop the inmates' needs for alcohol and drugs, the Rev. Dennis Postell helps to fulfill their need for spirituality. Postell said the jail's church program not only encourages inmates to meet with their particular denominations but also provides one-on-one counseling. 'Jail chaplaincy is a vital part of the program here at the Charlotte County Jail,' Postell said. 'We're proud of the eight different denominations that are currently working with us in the program.' In the four months since the programs began, three inmates have completed a 16-week anger management class, 11 have completed a 16-week substance abuse class and one has completed a 26-week batterers intervention class. Deputy Thomas Laux, a programs officer at the jail, acts as the liaison between the community and the inmates. Laux said the jail's programs are funded by grants and other private sectors and cost taxpayers nothing. He said the inmates are behind bars because of bad decisions, but those bad decisions can be prevented in the future -- the main purpose of the jail's initiative program. 'I see a big difference with everyone,' Laux said. 'They say that when they're in the classroom, they forget they're in jail.' |
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