Program for Mentally Ill Inmates Could be National Model

A groundbreaking, foundation-funded program aimed at providing individualized programs for mentally ill inmates that could serve as a national model is scheduled to make its debut at Fishkill Correctional Facility this year, with Sing Sing and Bedford Hills Correctional Facilities expected to follow in 2009. The Center for Urban Community Services' “Wellness Self Management” project is detailed in a Center press release.

DOCS Opens Inmate Intake Centers at Albion, Auburn

At the request of the New York State Sheriffs' Association, the Department of Correctional Services has opened inmate intake centers at Albion and Auburn Correctional Facilities. The new centers, which opened on July 7 and 8, 2008, respectively, will save property taxpayers money by reducing the required time and travel for many Sheriff's Offices to deliver to DOCS' custody county jail inmates sentenced to State Correctional Facilities, as detailed in a press release.

DOCS Seeks Partners to Bring More College Courses to Prisons

The Department of Correctional Services held a one-day forum on May 12, 2008 aimed at developing partnerships to bring more college courses to State correctional facilities in an effort to better prepare offenders for productive and responsible lives after prison. Representatives from a variety of institutions of higher education participated in the forum 37 KB. The effort is further detailed in the Summer 2008 issue of DOCS/TODAY 120 KB.

DOCS Seeks VISTA, Community Volunteers to Teach Parenting

The Department of Correctional Services is bringing AmericCorps*VISTA Volunteers into its correctional facilities to coordinate parenting programs for inmates under a grant from VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America). VISTA members are at three men's correctional facilities, and DOCS is looking for additional VISTA members and community volunteers to expand the program to six other men’s prisons and one women’s prison, as detailed in a press release.