Recidivism is one of the American justice system's greatest failures. 83% of individuals who have faced prison time will be rearrested within nine years. And they can't be blamed: the challenges recently released prisoners face are staggering. Incarceration is linked to mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Previously incarcerated people face unemployment rates of over 27%, which is higher than the unemployment rate during the Great Depression. How are they supposed to pay their bills or maintain stable housing when they are discriminated against when looking for work?
These complicated issues are what make reentry programs so difficult. When formerly incarcerated individuals have complex needs, it can be impossible for one case manager or social worker to handle them all. Reentry programs fail when released individuals face housing instability, joblessness, and mental health struggles---all without coordinated support.
But there is a new solution: wraparound services. Wraparound care coordination can be the missing link to reducing recidivism. Implementing the right case management software, helps your organization create holistic reentry programs that work for your clients.
What Are Wraparound Services for Reentry Programs?
Wraparound services in reentry programs are a personalized, team-based approach to help individuals returning to the community after incarceration or other institutional settings, such as juvenile detention centers.
In reentry programs, wraparound support involves a team working together to support an individual based on that professional's unique strengths. The services don't have an expiration date--they take as long as needed to set the person up for success.
Examples of wraparound services for reentry programs include:
- Housing support and assistance to find a stable place to live.
- Mental and behavioral health appointments and counseling.
- Employment and job readiness programs.
- Educational support and tutoring.
- Substance use disorder treatment.
This differs from a referral, where a professional may set up the first appointment but then expects the individual to continue the service on their own. True wraparound coordination includes case managers who check in and track service delivery, working alongside friends, family, and community members to ensure the person receives the help they need.
The Reality: Fragmented Reentry Programs Lead to Recidivism
Many groups are doing excellent work to help recidivism in areas including corrections, housing, employment training, and mental health. The problem is that these programs are limited and bootstrapped, with more to help than people who can work to help them. For example, only five percent of prisons offer vocational training.
These agencies struggle to communicate with one another, making it difficult to measure real change. People slip through the cracks---not because these groups don't care, but because the need is so great. Unfortunately, each missed service makes it more difficult for people to get back on their feet post-incarceration.
Why Traditional Case Management Isn't Enough
Having good intentions simply isn't enough for lifetime change. Case managers take the job because they want to see real outcomes, provide quality service, and work on exactly what their clients need. However, outdated tools make it tough for them to do their job thoroughly. A spreadsheet can be difficult to update and share with workers on a case---how many times have you reviewed a case document, only to find later that it wasn't updated to reflect recent changes?
Legacy systems that don't interact with other agencies cause errors. A case manager may be unable to assess if a client missed a doctor's appointment without calling the office. The office may mean to call them, but everyone is busy, and it can slip through the cracks. A risk factor noted in a psychiatrist's case notes may not reach the case manager helping the individual find housing---which could create issues with the person's potential roommate.
Bottom line: you can't coordinate complex lives with simple tools. Fortunately, modern solutions, such as reentry case management software, rise to the occasion.
The Power of Data-Driven Case Management in Wraparound Reentry
Analysis powered by facts is critical to case plans that help recently incarcerated individuals move forward. Case managers, family members, doctors, and more all want to understand which services help their clients. Wraparound reentry groups all these people together---and data-driven case management software eases communication and planning for improved collaboration.
Some of the reentry wraparound case manager tools offered to help service providers work together better include:
- Centralized client profiles: Each client has their own page with relevant information, such as upcoming appointments, services that need to be scheduled, and case notes.
- Custom service plans: With customizable forms and documents, software platforms allow case managers to collect information in intake and needs assessment. They can use this information to tailor wraparound plans. This information can be attached to the client profile for quick reference anytime.
- Flexible case planning: Case managers can modify activities, add new services, or change strategies as client needs change and grow in the wraparound process.
- Outcome tracking: Case management software tracks service delivery, attendance, and progress across housing, employment, health, and education. All of this can be measured through reporting and analytics platforms.
When utilizing reentry case management software, data isn't just numbers---it's an improved second chance. Organizations that implement data analytics see a 15-20% improvement in efficiency, allowing them to provide better client services.
How PlanStreet Empowers Reentry Wraparound Programs
Reentry needs both intention and infrastructure. The heart of reentry is the people who serve their clients, but they need tools to do their job properly. PlanStreet's case management software leads the charge of modern reentry coordination. Our software can be customized to meet the needs of wraparound services, allowing your organization to create a home base to coordinate success.
Optimize your case planning with PlanStreet's:
- Automated referrals and follow-ups: Intelligent scheduling tools optimize appointment times, preventing scheduling conflicts. Users can set up automated follow-ups to ensure continuity of care.
- Integrated agency collaboration tools: Instantly share documents, tasks, and data with other agencies to decide on services needed faster.
- Outcome dashboards: Customizable case boards allow for a bird's eye view of case plans, services, case notes, and more, making it easy to track progress and outcomes.
- Mobile access: PlanStreet can be used on cell phones, allowing case managers to take notes, schedule appointments, and check data from anywhere.
- HIPAA-compliant and role-based access: Client information remains safe, allowing only relevant team members to see their sensitive data.
"PlanStreet is very helpful with our co-workers. If someone's out, we can go into their notes and see what's happening. We were able to fine-tune PlanStreet to meet our individual needs, so they're very flexible as part of the setup that was established." - Denise Renee Noris, Eviction Mediation Program Coordinator | Center for Housing and Community Studies UNCG
Real Results: How Wraparound + Tech Reduces Recidivism
Studies show exciting results on the success of wraparound services in reducing recidivism. Los Angeles County implemented the "Reentry Intensive Case Management Services (RICMS) program" and found that the program reduced the number of released inmates that become reincarcerated by 17%.
There are 29 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) involved in the program. These CBOs hire community health workers who were once incarcerated themselves, helping participants navigate life after prison from their unique lived experiences.
PlanStreet can help programs like this thrive, measuring outcomes such as stable housing, job retention, and reduced parole violations. When an agency can prove their impact, it allows their grant writers to provide proof of how the agency uses their money to maximize outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does using data analytics improve the targeting and delivery of wraparound services to reduce recidivism?
Data analytics improves the targeting and delivery of wraparound services to reduce recidivism through data-driven assessments, continuous monitoring, outcome measurement, resource optimization, and evidence-based program improvement.
How do wraparound services impact recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals?
Generally, wraparound services reduce recidivism rates among formerly incarcerated individuals. In Clark County, Washington, youth in the juvenile justice system who received wraparound services had 58% fewer days of detention, 57% fewer days served, and lower recidivism rates than a matched comparison group.
The Future of Reentry Is Coordinated and Data-Driven
Reentry programs with wraparound services can be more expensive but offer a strong return on investment. Help your team increase productivity by doing more with less--and still lead to stronger outcomes--with PlanStreet. Our reentry wraparound case manager tools offer holistic solutions to problems faced by caseworkers in reentry programs.
PlanStreet offers:
- Centralized and up-to-date data insights
- A personalized reporting and case plan builder
- Detailed program progress and attendance tracking
- Intuitive client meeting documentation
- Comprehensive assessment measures
PlanStreet helps your team build a better infrastructure for your organization so you can focus on what you do best: setting the previously incarcerated on a path to a new, beautiful life. Let us show you how PlanStreet can help your organization implement or improve wraparound services, and schedule a demo with our team today.