January CCA Way Contest Winner Named
Innovation by Bay Correctional Facility's Elizabeth Bealor
Liz Bealor and Donald Beebe with inmates in the facility's Transition Resource Center
Many times we may think of innovation as a guiding principle that relates to mostly to facility operations. But at Bay Correctional Facility, innovative thinking is benefiting facility inmates who are preparing to leave the facility and re-entry society. In this winning contest entry from Elizabeth Bealor, Assistant Warden, she explains how Donald Beebe, Life Skills Instructor, established the Transition Resource Center in 2009 – a no-cost resource that preps inmate for success.
January's Winning Entry
The CCA Way Guiding Principle of INNOVATION is to think creatively and boldly. Value resourcefulness.
Seeing the needs of many inmates nearing release dates with no one to assist with transitional information, Mr. Donald Beebe, Life Skills Instructor with the Education Department at Bay Correctional Facility had an idea to better assist with the inmate re-entry process.
The BCF Transition Resource Center (TRC) was established in September, 2009 to meet just this need. Over 1500 service providers and resources statewide and federally were gathered together in a "one-stop" shop, offering inmates approaching their end-of-sentence assistance with housing, employment, training, medical and dental care, food, clothing and transportation.
Inmates simply submit a request for appointment with a TRC Aide. The Inmate Aides - trained, tutored and supervised by Mr. Beebe, then work one-on-one with these inmates to secure all the information needed for a particular city or state. Facility staff continues to contribute resources and assist with maintaining the most current resources are available.
Inmates can also receive tips and instructions for filling out job applications as well as the interview process. They may receive help writing a resume and letters to prospective employers. In addition, the TRC has information on programs such as Federal Bonding and Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
Mr. Beebe and his team saw the need to pull these resources together. Stepping up to the challenge of INNOVATION in a no-cost resource that provides inmates with the resources for success!
Our First Success Story:
"I wanted to personally thank you and your staff for the support you've given to the new Transition Resource Center. I was unable to find a place to live after prison despite writing over 60 letters and hounding my classification officer. I was terribly afraid of being sent back to County Jail on a technical Violation of Probation, but thanks to information obtained by your staff, I now have a place to go and therefore a chance at a new life. Again, Thank you!" (BCF Inmate)
by Elizabeth Bealor