The Department's Community Supervision unit assists formerly incarcerated individuals with transitioning to community supervision, monitoring compliance with the conditions of release, and ensuring the safety of crime victims and the general public.
Community Supervision, through its Executive Clemency Bureau, also works with Individuals applying for pardons, communication of sentences, and applications for Certificate of Relief from Disability and Certificates of Good Conduct.
Services for Parolees
To facilitate a smooth transition for individuals returning home from prison, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Re-Entry Operations (REO) Unit works with DOCCS correctional facility and community supervision field staff. REO also assists parole officers in providing certain returning citizens who have special needs with resource referrals for housing and specialized services, medical services and mental health treatment.
DOCCS Re-Entry Services works with the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services' County Re-Entry Task Force offices to assist incarcerated individuals returning home with resource referrals for housing, substance abuse prevention services, anger management, domestic violence and mental health counseling, medical services, mentoring, employment, and a host of other services.
Opportunities for Community Based Partnerships
Additionally, REO partners with other state agencies, county governments, and community-based organizations to develop these referral sources for individuals returning home in need of these services.
To assist in stabilizing individuals who require additional guidance and support, REO works with community based organizations to develop and implement programs and services through Community Based Residential Programs (CBRP). It also awards and manages grant funds through Request for Applications to providers to help formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate back into society.
Important Information for People Returning HomeOffices & Handbook
All Community Supervision Offices
Reentry Community Based Residential Programs & New York State PartnershipsFor Organizations Interested in Providing Community Based Residential Programs
DOCCS invites community based organizations interested in providing community based residential programs to apply for a grant.
Overview
Community Based Residential Programs (CBRPs) are housing initiatives that assist undomiciled individuals returning home from prison in attaining stability in the community.
CBRPs provide food, counseling, and other services, such as substance abuse treatment, educational/vocational training, mental health and social services either directly or through referrals. They offer structured settings and services for a period of up to 120 days with extensions available on a case-by-case basis.
CBRP Grants
REO awards and manages grant funds to eligible programs to support formerly incarcerated individuals with successful reintegration through a Continuous Recruitment Request for Application.
DOCCS invites applications from not-for-profit and for-profit providers throughout New York State to develop and operate CBRPs for individuals under community supervision.
Contact
Community based organizations interested in becoming vendors should contact:
Linda Mitchell 518-436-7886 ext. 3115 Linda.Mitchell@doccs.ny.gov
Frank Arpey 518-436-7886 ext. 3120 Frank.Arpey@doccs.ny.gov
Learn more about the New York State partnerships DOCCS has to provide services to individuals under community supervision.
NYS Partnerships
DOCCS partnerships include:
COUNTY REENTRY TASK FORCES (CRTFs)
The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has provided grants to 20 counties across New York State to establish CRTFs. CRTFs are designed to devise community-specific re-entry strategies and to coordinate services for citizens under community supervision who have completed a term of incarceration.
CRTFs employ re-entry coordinators who work with a diverse group of agencies, including DOCCS, local law enforcement, probation, and mental health and service providers to identify gaps in service and to provide coordinated efforts for individuals under community supervision identified as high risk to recidivate and as possessing serious criminogenic needs that can be difficult to address.
OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH (OMH)
DOCCS currently works with OMH to execute the Parole Support and Treatment Program (PSTP). The PSTP consists of supported housing and a blended case management program designed to facilitate community re-entry for parolees with serious mental illness. Its goal is linking eligible individuals to programs that offer long-term housing and appropriate community services before their term of supervision expires.
OFFICE OF ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES (OASAS)
DOCCS currently collaborates with OASAS in using diversion programs to assist individuals who relapse to avoid re-incarceration. The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Pre-Release Pilot Program is designed to provide treatment for persons identified as suffering from opioid use disorder who re-enter communities from specialized facilities. Following the success of MAT at Edgecombe Residential Treatment Facility in New York City, pilot programs have expanded upstate to Hale Creek Correctional Facility and Orleans Correctional Facility, as well as the Willard Drug Treatment Campus.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Since launching "Work for Success" Initiative in 2012, DOCCS has been an integral partner with the New York State DOL in providing formerly incarcerated job readiness training and employment referrals. This joint effort has assisted in successfully reintegrating and stabilizing many individuals.