Positive Transitioning Magazine - March 2021

Women’s Issue Mentorship to Reduce Recidivism

The Gender Pay Gap

Creating a Vision Statement

In This Issue The Women’s Issue March 2021

Letter from the Executive Director

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Word of the month

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Services for Women

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Creating a Vision Statement

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The Pay Gap and Justice Involved Women

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Mentorship to Reduce Recidivism

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Letter from the Executive Director March is Women’s History Month, and this is the third year that we’ve published our Women’s Issue. Although men make up the large majority of the incarcerated, the rate of women that are being held in prisons and jails is on the rise. And the needs of women (both on the inside and the outside) vary differently for men and women.

The pathways to incarceration for men and women are different and have to be addressed as such to be effective. Additionally, the effects for children and families are quite different when the parent going to prison is the primary caretaker.

Incarceration processes and facilities have been designed to corral hordes of men – not women. Different needs must be addressed from the biological standpoint related to sanitary napkins and childbirth. On the outside, support services are still often geared toward men. The truth is, the wage gap that effects women compounded with the difficulties with ex-offenders finding work has a different effect – especially when those women are caregivers. Additionally, the safety for women in group homes creates a different challenge.

So, for our women’s issue, we address just some of the issues that women face within the confines of a system designed for men. Only by creating awareness around these issues can we begin to address them.

Sincerely, Porche Proffit

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Masthead and Contributors Editor-in-Chief, Porche Proffit Editor, Ericka Foster

Contributors Contributing Editor, Lakia Goodman Writer, Maggie Allen Writer, Natalie Rodriguez-Steen Positive Transitioning Inc. is a non–profit organization that provides information and resources for individuals reentering the community after incarceration.

In addition to this magazine, Positive Transitioning Inc. offers a 24-hour Resource/Listening Line that services all 50 states. The Resource/Listening line is staffed by life coaches, and provides individuals with the immediate support and resources they may be needed during reentry.

Positive Transitioning Inc. also provides individuals life coaches that will assist them in every step of the reentry process: housing, education, employment, vocational training, obtaining government benefits, veteran assistance, medical management, sponsorship, financial stability, family reintegration, and legal assisting.

Currently Positive Transitioning Inc. is entirely web–based as we are hoping that this makes it easily accessible for anyone to access from anywhere.

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in·ter·sec·tion·al·i·ty

noun the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

The way we imagine discrimination or disempowerment often is more complicated for people who are subjected to multiple forms of exclusion. The good news is that intersectionality provides us a way to see it

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Source: Misty McPhetridge, BSSW

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Services for Women Many re-entry programs and services are designed with men in mind, but what about the estimated 1.9 million women released from jails and prisons on a yearly basis? And moreover, what does success in re-entry look like for women?

The answer to the latter can vary, because no two women are the same. Some struggle with substance abuse, trauma, or mental health issues, none of which particularly bolsters one’s sense of confidence and self-worth. But statistically, formerly incarcerated women face higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than their male counterparts, and more women are the primary caretakers of their children. Having access to support groups, education, housing, childcare, and healthcare can make a world of difference to women and their families, and many states programs having been cropping up in recent years to fill those needs.

Below is a list of just some of the resources for women. We’re so happy to say that this isn’t a comprehensive list of resources that are available to women who are reentering society.

 Angela House angelahouse.org Since 2002, Angela House has assisted 430 women with housing and re-entry services in the Houston area. The house holds a maximum of sixteen residents at one time, and provides trauma-informed rehabilitative services to its participants.  Beyond These Walls beyondthesewallslgbt.org Serving the Pacific Northwest, Beyond These Walls was founded in 2011 as a project of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Since then, the program has grown to include case management for pre-release inmates as well as re-entry assistance for inmates that are reentering society. They also offer a pen pal program for LGBTQ inmates.

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 Center for Women in Transition cwitstl.org/store/c1/Home The ultimate mission for the Center for Women in Transition (CWiT) is to assist and advocate for women in the criminal justice system as they transition to home. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, they assist between 150-180 women each year by offering comprehensive wrap-around services like case management, behavioral health, and, perhaps most critical of all, supportive housing. The extensive community program allows women to live with their children in their home communities throughout the city while receiving rent support and the full array of services offered, either in apartment-style supportive houses operated by the Center itself or scattered-site apartments throughout the St. Louis area. In 2019, 117 women were served in their transitional housing, while 29 were served in the larger community.  Doors of Hope opendoorsofhope.org/mission-1 Based in Rutherford County, Tennessee, Doors of Hope provides re-entry services such as legal assistance, transportation, identification documents, and clothing. Additionally, the organization provides shelter, counseling, and legal assistance. The program helps women dealing from substance dependence with counseling. Doors of Hope also has a mentoring program. According to their website, Doors of Hope only 3% of the programs 1750 participants have re-entered the system.  “InsideOUT”: Stonewall Columbus LGBTQ Inmate & Formerly Incarcerated Support Program stonewallcolumbus.org/programs/insideout/ This program has support groups for those who are incarcerated as well as those who are formerly incarcerated. Stonewall Columbus is also a 3rd Party Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA Reporting Center).  Ladies Empowerment Action Program leapforladies.org/ The Ladies Empowerment Action Program (LEAP) in Miami, Florida is a re-entry program inside of the Homestead Correctional Institution. It began as a program for entrepreneurial training, teaching women where to seek funding, how to draft business plans, and how to network for their small business. Now, the programs have branched out even further. Any woman scheduled to be released from a Florida State Prison in 12-18 months can apply, and once accepted, she receives access to in-prison education and mentorship; life skills classes; trauma informed substance abuse programming; and postrelease housing, as well as a life-long support community.  Ladies of Hope Ministries thelohm.org/ Ladies of Hope Ministries has several programs designed to support and inspire women with a criminally-involved past. The Angel Food Project's mission is to connect free healthy food to formerly incarcerated people and their families. Founded in 2017, the Hope House offers women housing for up to one year as they readjust to outside life.

There is a location in New York, as well as New Orleans. Pathways 4 Equity partners with local companies that have made a commitment to second chances to help women who are

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looking for work after incarceration. In addition to these programs, Ladies of Hope Ministries trains formerly incarcerated women as public speakers to become storytellers, and share the challenges and triumphs of thriving in society after re-entry.  New Way of Life anewwayoflife.org/housing/ A New Way of Life helps women Los Angeles reenter society after incarceration. According to their website, more than 1000 women and children have found “safety and support” through the organization. A New Way of Life provides housing support, legal support. The organization also trains program participants to become community leaders through an annual training program called Women Organizing for Justice and Opportunity (WOJO). A New Way of Life also sponsors All of Us or None – Southern California, which has chapters in Los Angeles and Long Beach. In addition to housing, the program offers re-entry services to help women get identification. They also partner with local organizations to support sobriety as well as employment and career development.

Additional Programs Reentry Programs for Women Inmates | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov) Community Reentry (cjinvolvedwomen.org) Women's Programs All | Justice Involved Women Programs (nicic.gov)

Programs - Women's Prison  The Red Lodge Transition Center for Women redlodgetransition.org Association (wpaonline.org) The Red Lodge has a mission to provide transition information, guidance and support to Native American individuals, families and communities, and too prevent and reduce incarceration by breaking the cycle of chemical addiction, violence, abuse, hatred, hopelessness and neglect. The organization has a residence located about a mile outside Oregon City, OR, the location supports approximately six women and offers programs to help women get back on their feet.  Root & Rebound rootandrebound.org According to their website, “Root & Rebound’s Central Valley team provides wraparound direct services to formerly incarcerated women, with a focus on women of color as they overcome barriers to financial wellness and employment. R&R also partners with groups across the Central Valley to lead community legal clinics open to all system-impacted individuals, as well as trainings and workshops for partnering organizations and employers.”

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Creating a Vision Statement Think for a moment about someone that you admire. Do you think that that person had a plan to become admirable or became that way by accident? You can actually create a roadmap for the person you want to become.

A vision statement can help you create that roadmap. Often, when we are trying to make big, important changes to our lives, a vision statement can remind us of why we are working so hard and sacrificing so much. I wish I could tell you that is all you need to be successful, but it’s a great head start.

Step 1: Dream big The world won’t hesitate to limit you, so for this first step, don’t limit yourself. It can be equally as scary to think about living the life that exceeds our expectations as it is to think about never reaching your maximum potential. For this exercise, think about what would make you happiest. In the beginning, let there be no dream too big – whether you want to go to the moon, go to the Olympics, or have a net worth of a million dollars. You will have plenty of time to edit. Here are a few questions to help you get started: • • •

What are things that you most enjoy doing?

What strengths do you see in yourself?

What strengths of yours have other people commented on, and how have the strengths and comments affected your accomplishments?

Step 2: Define your values For your vision statement, your values will determine your how. Take a look at the list in this article to get an idea of which values are most important to you. In this example below, this person values family and taking responsibility for their family’s well-being.

Ex: The ultimate family woman that took great care of my children and continues on expanding that role helping my children by taking care of my grandchildren.

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Step 3: Edit Remember, it is a vision statement, not a vision paragraph. Your vision statement should be one sentence (granted, it can be a long sentence). That sentence should reflect your highest dreams and values.

This is the time when you might need to boil your dreams down into something attainable. If your dream is to go to the Olympics, but you do not possess the athletic skill or training, this might be when you want to adapt your dreams to something attainable. For example, if you are good at teaching, you may consider becoming a coach; if you take great pictures, you can aspire to become a photographer for the Olympics.

Don’t forget! Your vision statement can be a combination of personal and professional. You can be an successful entrepreneur that can support their family.

As members enter the Positive Transitioning program, they are asked to complete a vision statement. Below are a couple examples of our members aspirations

I want to be a beacon of light for the sick and suffering addict. I will use my education and life experiences to help in the healing process of those people who suffer with the disease of addiction. I will share with them my darkest times and how those moments fueled my ability to walk in the light of healing and health. I will show them that recovery is possible. ~K.W. My vision is to get my hair license and work in a hair salon until I can own my own hair salon, while also taking online classes for real estate so I can take care of my family.

I envision myself walking out of prison and being the best mother I can while chasing my goals by working and giving back to my community. For example, serving food to the homeless just to let them know I care about the people in my community and there are people out here thinking about them and wanting to help them.~R.W.

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The Pay Gap and Justice Involved Women

By Maggie Allen Many people are familiar with the pay gap problem in the regular American workplace. While gender-based pay discrimination has been illegal since the 1960’s, it is still a frequent, widespread practice, perpetuating a needless and unfair discrepancy in the earnings of women compared to their male counterparts.

And sadly, it is often hardest on women of color, transgender women, and immigrant women.

Asian women’s experiences differ greatly depending on their country of origin. An analysis by the National Partnership for Women and Families found that while women who report Indian or Chinese ethnicity or ancestry earn nearly as much as white men, women who identify as Filipina, Vietnamese, and Korean are paid much less.(1)

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The most complicated math problem According to the Center for American Progress, those which are traditionally feminine jobs - positions that have historically had majority-female workforces, such as home health aides and child care workers - tend to offer lower pay and fewer benefits than what are traditionally considered masculine jobs. Women are disproportionately driven out of the workforce to accommodate caregiving and other unpaid obligations and thus tend to have less work experience than men.

And because women tend to work fewer hours to accommodate caregiving and other unpaid obligations, they are also more likely to work part time, which means lower hourly wages and fewer benefits compared with full-time workers.

Even more complications Even with all of this, a lot of media attention tends to shine on women with relative privilege; those who are frustrated by the issue, but not necessarily in danger of starvation or eviction. Very little time tends to be spent on the women for whom this issue can mean life in abject poverty, or death. And, as you might imagine, justice-involved women are often among this group, but get even less coverage and support.

The costs of “criminal justice” Women who are unable to post bail are among our nation’s poorest people, with a median annual income of just $11,071, according to the Prison Policy Initiative (PPI). Whether bail is denied or too expensive, many are forced to simply sit there, potentially losing jobs, housing, or other income in the process. PPI also found that women are disproportionately more likely to be incarcerated pre-trial than men, despite statistically posing a lower flight risk.

Approximately 1 in 8 individuals that are released from state prisons, and 1 in 6 jail releases, are women. That comes to about 1.9 million women released from correctional facilities per year. 75% percent of all women under correctional control are on probation, meaning that they have to frequently check in with their officer and pay fees. Not doing so can land them right back in prison, with little

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room for leniency. This time and money can eat up resources needed in other areas, such as time for work and having to forgo food for themselves and their families.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is the increased likelihood of homelessness, higher rates of post-incarceration unemployment, and the intense need for other services such as trauma counseling and family reunification, all of which justice-involved women routinely face when they transition back to life outside. But then this would become a full-on dissertation, and a thoroughly depressing one at that.

The fact of the matter is that, while justice-involved men and women both face unique and difficult challenges, there tend to be fewer tailored reentry programs for women, and the ones that are available can be scattered and woefully underfunded. Angela House, located in Houston, TX, can only serve 12 to 14 women at a time, but has stated that it receives more than 300 applications every year.

We must demand that these supports be well-backed, and ample across the country. As we look to the future, we need to urge our policymakers to set aside state and federal funding for these kinds of services. We need help investing in our communities, bolstering and enriching them as formerly-incarcerated people seek to get their lives back in order. It does none of us any good if our neighbors and their families suffer, having to turn back to crime for any meaningful hope of survival.

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Mentorship to Reduce Recidivism Nat Rodriguez-Steen Mentoring programs can have a positive influence on those re-entering their communities following incarceration. A 2017 study analyzing the Women’s Resource Center’s program New Beginnings in Michigan found that a mentor’s post-release hours spent with a mentee increased the odds of the mentee completing their re-entry goals by almost 5.5 times.

A 2016 study found four themes in examining mentor/mentee relationships for formerly incarcerated women. Those themes are: (1) a positive relationship founded on nonjudgment and unconditional support, (2) both parties wanting to achieve change and refrain from destructive behavior, (3) protection for mentees from negative influences and guidance through constructive changes that the mentee may have had trouble navigating alone, and (4) creation of boundaries while being careful not to cross lines and do too much for the mentee. These studies show how influential and helpful mentors, who help create a positive support system for those returning to their communities following incarceration, can be.

Women, in particular, are at increased risk of substance abuse, physical abuse, and mental illness. Mentor/mentee relationships can be incredibly beneficial in forming social support to help against potential re-entry and continuation of preincarceration habits. Our society praises individualism and personal independence which may lead individuals to attempt to navigate post-incarceration life alone.

Although, it can be difficult to ask for support, there are various programs and ways for mentors and mentees to build support bonds together.

It can be helpful to look for local community resources online, at the library, through re-entry services, through word of mouth, and through community support systems. No matter what state, there are always non-profits, community organizers and members, and other organizations who want to provide support and give formerly incarcerated individuals the room to grow and prosper.

Some jails and prisons may provide resources for programs or refer individuals to programs through probation or parole, it is important that the mentor/mentee relationship be one that is positive, unconditionally supportive, and nonjudgmental.

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Different states provide various programs and ways for finding a mentor. Some states may have re-entry programs that reach out to families or correction facilities to match mentors and mentees with each other. Some states and local counties will provide resources or information of different mentor organizations to individuals while incarcerated.

For example, New Beginnings, is a Grand Rapids, Michigan program focused on beginning services for women in the Kent County Jail providing assistance before and after release. Individuals can be referred to the program by the Kent County Department of Corrections.

The first and most important step in the process of finding a mentor is to review and research programs and mentors. Although some mentor/mentees programs may be required as part of re-entry conditions, it is still important to research an organization and potentially contact others who have gone through similar programs. There are many wonderful programs that are designed to help women get back onto their feet but there are also plenty of programs that will take advantage of those who are in vulnerable positions or will simply not provide the support necessary.

Finding a mentor is similar to finding a therapist, sometimes the relationship simply does not work, and it is okay to look for support elsewhere. The most important thing moving forward is that you feel supported.

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