Re-Entry Center, Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED)

REP was developed in 2001, in close collaboration with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and other public and private agencies, to provide ex-offenders with the tools necessary to build a better life after prison. The Abell Foundation awarded funds toward the start-up and development of the initiative, which links offenders returning to the community with an integrated array of services with operations housed in both East and West Baltimore. The initiative was designed to address the devastating cycle of incarceration and re-entry into Maryland’s communities illustrated by the following statistics:

• Incarceration rates have increased fourfold over the past 25 years;
• More than 600,000 people leave federal and state prisons each year;
• Approximately 13,000 men and women exit Maryland’s prisons each year (approximately 50 percent return to Baltimore City); and
• Maryland’s recidivism rate is more than 50 percent.

After being identified as a potential REP participant, individuals are involved in both in-prison and post-release efforts. While incarcerated, soon-to-be-released prisoners attend an exit orientation, which is designed to introduce them to both the available resources and their expected responsibilities upon release. Participants also meet with a case manager or case advocate who will meet the prisoner at the actual moment of his or her release and facilitate the immediate release transition process. Inmates are expected to take an active role in developing and implementing their plans.

Post-release programs aid in creating a smooth transition to the community, including links to services and treatment. Case advocates often meet the prisoner at the door when they are released and help directly connect the individual to services to aid in reintegration, including substance abuse treatment programs, mental health counseling, and vocational and educational training. In addition, case advocates assist the former prisoner in securing identification and prescription medication, registering for entitlements, and other urgent social services. REP also provides transitional housing for periods up to three months for about a third of the individuals enrolled in the program.

In 2006, REP transferred its operations from the Enterprise Foundation to Catholic Charities and is currently housed in the Our Daily Bread Employment Center (ODBEC) across from both the Baltimore City Detention Center and the Metropolitan Transitional Center (MTC). The transition to Catholic Charities and the physical move into ODBEC have brought about greater programmatic support and opportunities for REP. The proximity to the jail and the Metropolitan Transitional Center opens REP up to a more diverse population and being co-located with other services also allows REP to help leverage additional resources such as employment services, outpatient treatment, health services, direct access to parole and probation, child support and legal services, and support groups. The Abell Foundation has provided grants totaling $400,000 in support of REP operations.