Boston Pre-Release Center – Overview and Information
The Boston Pre-Release Center is a short-term residential program in the City of Boston that helps people transition out of corrections and back into the community. The program serves individuals on state and federal parole, probation, and in various phases of the criminal justice system. The Center provides a safe, secure environment while providing comprehensive services in the areas of re-entry, job skills development, education, substance abuse and mental health counseling, financial literacy, and life skills development.
The Center is located in the historic city of Boston and is managed by the Department of Youth Services. It is the only program of its kind in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has been a leader in the reintegration process for those leaving corrections. It is the only pre-release center that has been accredited by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC).
The program provides a continuum of services designed to meet the individual needs of each participant. The participant works with the case manager to develop and maintain an individualized service plan that addresses all of their needs. The service plan is monitored on a regular basis and follows the participant’s progression through the three phases of the program.
The first phase focuses on assessing the individual’s basic needs, identifying and addressing risk factors associated with criminality, creating an individualized service plan, and providing case management. The second phase is designed to expand the social, educational, vocational and other skills necessary to successfully re-enter the community and increase the likelihood of maintaining sobriety and avoiding re-incarceration. The third phase provides assistance with job skills such as resume building, interviewing skills, and job searching.
The Center also offers resources to assist the participant in locating housing, developing life skills, participating in volunteer activities, strengthening family connections, managing finances, and accessing legal services.
PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM
The Boston Pre-Release Center is staffed with over 75 full-time professional staff, including counselors, social workers, case managers, teachers, and life skills coaches. Teamwork, collaboration, and communication among staff are essential in meeting the needs of individuals and accomplishing program goals.
The program is supported by the Department of Youth Services, The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Massachusetts Probation Service.
Boston Pre-Release Center – Classes, Services, and Programs
Boston Pre-Release Center (BPRC) is a state-run transitional center, providing a safe and supervised setting for inmates as they return to the Boston community. The facility provides inmates with education, skills, and job readiness classes to ensure their successful reintegration into society. The mission of the BPRC is to “offer an array of services and programs designed to reduce recidivism and foster development.”
The BPRC offers education, vocational and employability services. Educational classes, services, and programs are available for inmates to complete GED and literacy courses. They are offered through the Department of Corrections, the Massachusetts Department of Education, and other outside sources. Vocational and employability services are offered to assist inmates in finding and maintaining employment. These services help with resume development, job placement, career counseling, as well as providing technical skills development.
In addition to educational and vocational services, the BPRC also provides rehabilitation services for the inmates. Therapeutic counseling and drug and alcohol treatment are offered to help inmates address any substance abuse or mental health issues they may have. They also have anger management classes and other courses that help to develop the inmate’s social skills.
The BPRC also offers support services to inmates including: housing placement services, job placement and employment assistance, financial assistance, and social services. These services help to ensure that inmates have a successful transition back into the community.
Finally, the BPRC also provides a comprehensive aftercare program, which offers inmates the support and guidance they need to continue their successful reintegration into the community. Aftercare includes educational and vocational supports; providing resources such as housing assistance, job placement assistance, and financial assistance.
The Boston Pre-Release Center offers inmates with an array of services and programs that are designed to reduce the rate of recidivism and help inmates reintegrate back into society as productive and independent members of the community.
Inmate visiting application in Boston Pre-Release Center
At the Boston Pre-Release Center, inmates may be able to receive visits from family, friends, or other persons who are approved by the facility. Visiting hours for the Pre-Release Center are from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. However, the inmate’s family or friends must first apply for visiting permission before being approved.
The first step in applying to visit an inmate at the Boston Pre-Release Center is to get a Visiting Application form from the facility. The form includes sections for the inmate and the visitor to complete. All information provided must be accurate and truthful.
The visitor or family member will need to fill out the visitor’s personal information section, which includes their name, address, and phone number. In addition, the visitor also needs to provide a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state-issued identification card.
Once the form is submitted, the visitor or family member will need to wait for approval. The facility may take anywhere from one to three weeks to process the application. Once it is approved, the visitor can then contact the facility to schedule a visit.
Upon arrival for the visit, the visitor will need to present a valid photo ID and sign in and out. Visitors also must follow the Pre-Release Center’s visiting rules and security regulations. Items that are not allowed in the visiting room include food, alcohol, drugs, and weapons. Do not attempt to bring these items into the facility.
Visiting plays an important role in the successful reintegration of inmates back into society. The Boston Pre-Release Center’s visitation policies are designed to allow family and friends of inmates to maintain meaningful connections. In this way, they are able to support and encourage each other and build strong relationships.
Boston Pre-Release Center: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
The Boston Pre-Release Center (PRC) is a unique program designed to help inmates transition back into society by giving them the tools and resources necessary to become productive members of the community. Many inmates are unaware of the services offered at the PRC and may have questions about this program and how to best benefit from it. Here is a guide to frequently asked questions about the PRC and their answers.
Q: What services does the PRC offer?
A: The PRC offers a variety of services, including academic and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, employment preparation and counseling, and even recreational and leisure activities. Along with this, inmates receive guidance and instruction, enabling them to reintegrate into society.
Q: How long is the PRC program?
A: The length of the program varies depending on individual needs, but most inmates stay for an average of 30 to 45 days.
Q: Are any special requirements needed to enroll in the PRC?
A: Inmates must be referred to the PRC by the DOC. However, the DOC will consider applications from inmates who have served at least six months or more and have a good conduct record. The DOC will also consider inmates who have completed a GED or who have been in some post-secondary educational or vocational program since incarceration.
Q: What are the benefits of the PRC?
A: The PRC provides inmates with the tools and resources to serve as a bridge between incarceration and the community. It also helps give inmates the guidance and support necessary to adjust to life outside prison. Furthermore, participation in the PRC can help reduce recidivism.
Q: How can family and friends of inmates enroll in the PRC?
A: Family and friends of inmates can reach out to the DOC for more information. They can also work with the inmate’s support network to find the resources necessary to enroll in the PRC.
Q: Does the PRC accept donations?
A: The Boston PRC does not directly accept donations. However, applicants may be able to donate to the PRC through the Office of Public Safety and Security, or OPSS, which is a private, nonprofit organization that assists the PRC with services and resources.
