Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is “reentry”?
Reentry can be defined as services and programs that assist an individual in their transition from incarceration back into the community. Reentry services are aimed at reducing recidivism and promoting public safety by providing a range of evidence-based resources to reentrants. These efforts are dynamic and all-encompassing; they include both the institution and the field side of corrections, as well as other state agencies and community partners. Reentry services include referrals to programs and case management based off their identified risks and needs.
2. Why are reentry services critical to our communities?
The collateral consequences of incarceration are far-reaching and affect more than just reentrants. Individuals releasing from prison face many barriers including the stigma of having a criminal record, which can adversely affect each facet of the transitional process. It can be challenging to find housing, employment, and access to behavior health services with criminal convictions. Communities are impacted in many ways economically and socially. Ensuring reentrants are supported during their transitional period helps improve community well-being and public safety. To do this, we must look at reentry in a holistic manner by focusing on family structure, workforce development, eligibility programs, transportation and many other areas that affect individuals' daily living and interactions within the community.
3. What role do reentry services play in reducing recidivism?
The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition views reentry efforts as a proactive, collaborative approach to supporting individuals transitioning out of corrections to help address their needs upon release and to ultimately lower their risk of recidivating, subsequently increasing public safety. Alaska's current recidivism rate is 67.08 percent; with more than 900 individuals releasing monthly, the Alaska Department of Corrections (ADOC) is continuing to seek outside guidance, support and innovative ideas surrounding reducing recidivism. Reentry is integrated and at the forefront of all efforts within ADOC. This includes screenings and assessments to understand individual needs and programming such as substance abuse, parenting, education and pre-release classes.
4. What factors determine if a re-entrant successfully transitions into their community?
There are many factors that impact a re-entrant's successful transition into the community. By focusing on the following key fundamentals, the Department of Corrections, community partners and the re-entrant can take tangible steps to addressing these barriers and supporting individuals upon release: Stable housing; Employment; Access to behavior health services; Education; Prosocial networks
5. What is the Fairbanks Reentry Coalition?
The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition is an intentional group of caring people who work together to create a community where returning citizens have the keys to successfully achieve their personal goals. The coalition, now funded by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, has been organizing community agencies to engage in collaborative reentry services and relationships since 2013. Although not a stand-alone non-profit agency itself, The Fairbanks Reentry Coalition does work through, and with, its non-profit fiscal agent, the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, to reach its goals and to meet grant requirements.
6. Who are the members of the Fairbanks Reentry Coalition?
Any Reentry Service Provider or other community member interested in the coalition’s core purpose, may be a Coalition Member. The organizational structure of the Coalition is based on a progression of involvement, with each subsequent layer being drawn from the one above. The outer layer of the coalition’s structure incorporates those nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, community groups and individuals providing services to returning citizens and their families. The Reentry Service Providers may be, but need not be, members of the Fairbanks Reentry Coalition.
Progressive Involvement: Reentry Service Providers - Coalition Members - Steering Committee - Executive Team
7. What is the leadership structure of the Fairbanks Reentry Coalition?
The bulk of Coalition business and subject-matter decision-making is the responsibility of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is comprised of a maximum of 10 members, including key stakeholders who chair work groups for each service area, in addition to the three Co-chairs (which constitute the Executive Team).
In their Executive Team leadership capacity, the Fairbanks Reentry Coalition Co-Chairs Tammy Axelsson (DOC Probation), Janie Beaudreault (DOC Fairbanks Correctional Center), and Community Co-Chair Bobby Dorton oversee the implementation of coalition objectives. They work with the Coalition Coordinator, the Coalition’s Fiscal Agent, Steering Committee, Work Groups and general membership in carrying out identified goals and strategies in an attempt to eliminate the barriers that returning citizen’s encounter. In doing so, it is expected that Fairbanks will be a safer and stronger community.