Why WriteAPrisoner? - National Organization of Forensic Social Work

ObjectivesDuring this webinar, we’ll look at WriteAPrisoner.com’sconception, its growth, and its future along with its impact.1. Increase participants’ understanding of the pen‐pal/inmate relationshipby demonstrating the pen‐pal’s role in positively influencing the inmatevia correspondence.2. Share with participants various methods used by pen‐pals tosupport/encourage incarcerated individuals and prepare them forsuccessful reintegration into society.3. Raise awareness of the overall impact pen‐pal correspondence has onthe correctional system and society as a whole.4. Discuss the challenges of operating the website.

Agenda• Methods Used by Pen‐pals to Facilitate Positive Changeo General Correspondenceo Self‐help Serieso Reintegration Profiles:o Back to Work: Employment Profileso Coming Home: Housing Profileso Back to School: Educational Profileso Helping Hands: Correspondence Counseling Profiles

Agenda• Additional Resources Available to Those Impacted byCrime and Incarcerationo Books Behind Barso CrimeFreeKids.como Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund• Influence Beyond the Inmateo Impact on Correctional Systemo Reduced Recidivism Rate

CONTACTSInvestor RelationsbioMérieuxIsabelle TongioTel: + 33 4 78 87 22 37investor.relations@biomerieux.comMedia RelationsbioMérieuxImage SeptKoren Wolman-TardyLaurence HeilbronnTel: + 33 4 78 87 20 08 Tel: + 33 1 53 70 74 64media@biomerieux.comlheilbronn@image7.frPage 7

U.S. Prison Population at a Glance• $74 billion spent annuallyoImmigration detention = fastest growing segmentU.S. spends $1.8 billion to detain immigrants annually• $2.6 billion in sales nationwide in 2010from prison manufacturers

U.S. Prison Population at a Glance• Federal sentencingguidelines• “War on drugs”

History of WriteAPrisoner.comPrisonministries2000Desire to create abusiness to help people(lifeguard/EMT background)Evolved indifferentdirectionsEmphasison Pen‐pals

Introduction to Website• MUST BE 18!• Emphasizes WHYwe provide this service

Introduction to Website• User‐friendly & easy tonavigate• Informs & educatesviewers• Interactiveo Forumo Polls

Introduction to Website• Inmate Pen‐pal Profileo Posted by Mail or Onlineo Photo and Texto General Informationo Contact Informationo Artwork, Blogs, andPoetryo Full Disclosureo Disclaimers

Introduction to Website• Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look

Introduction to Website• Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look

Introduction to Website• Inmate Pen‐pal Profile: A Closer Look

Introduction to Website• Inmate Pen‐pal Profiles: Search Features

Why WriteAPrisoner?ooooo90% will be releasedPositive interactions promote rehabilitationVisitation and correspondence increase positive attitudesInmates already have lower self‐esteem, lower quality oflife, etc.Inmates are high risk for mental illness caused byisolation, loneliness, & abuse

Why WriteAPrisoner?ooo“Inmate visits with approved family members or friendsshould be encouraged for the positive purpose ofmaintaining home and community ties, which afterrelease should provide a deterrent to recidivism.”(Florida DOC)Pen‐pals help find jobs, housing, and other toolsnecessary to reduce recidivism.“Offenders who were visited in prison were significantlyless likely to recidivate.” (Minnesota DOC)

Why WriteAPrisoner?oooInmates who find employment are most successfulwhen using personal connectionsEmployment is essential to keep from returning toprisonInmates can develop skills while in prison tohelp find employment

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• General Correspondence“Mail is the only thingto look forward to inhere...” (J.S., CampLejeune, NC)ooo“I'm in a place where friends are hard tocome by... I thought I could do time bymyself, but I was wrong, so now I'mreaching out in the hope of findingsomeone who can take away theloneliness.” (F.P., Ely, NV)Letters & postcardsGreeting cardsEmails through officialprison email providers“My friends and family outside of prison have all disappeared.Everyday is a struggle to retain an ounce of dignity. I don't seekpity. I ask you to remember that prison is a very lonely place.Having someone willing to listen, confide in and be an outsidesource of strength will help to make prison life bearable.”(T.C., Shakopee, MN)

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• Self‐help SeriesoooooBack to School: Education Opportunities for InmatesBack to Work: For Inmates Coming Home Within theYearCredit Repair, Build, & Maintain Good Credit While inPrisonGoing to Prison: For Individuals Facing IncarcerationParenting from Prison: For Parents in Prison

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• Back to Work: Employment Profiles

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• Coming Home: Housing Profiles

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• Back to School: Educational Profiles

Methods Used by Pen‐pals toFacilitate Positive Change• Helping Hands: Correspondence Counseling Profile(in development)o Anger Management Counselingo Family Counselingo Grief Counselingo Rehabilitation counselingo Educational Counselingo Guidance and Career Counselingo Mental Health Counselingo Substance Abuse counseling

Additional Resources Available to ThoseImpacted by Crime and Incarceration• Books Behind Barso Online resource that bridges the gap between the publicand underfunded yet vitally important prison educationaldepartmento Work with prison teachers, prison librarians, and prisonchaplainso Reference books, dictionaries, fictional reading material,non‐fiction, how‐to manuals, GED or basic educationmaterials, VHS tapes, educational DVDs, audio recordings,and virtually any other educationalmaterialo Mentioned in Oprah Magazine

Additional Resources Available to ThoseImpacted by Crime and Incarceration• CrimeFreeKids.como To help children who have been impacted by crimeo To prevent children from taking a path of crimeo Topics:BullyingPeerPressureFamilyMember inPrisonCriminalInvolvementProblemsat School

Additional Resources Available to ThoseImpacted by Crime and Incarceration• Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fundo Benefit children of inmates and children victimized by crimeo Education is a critical step toward a crime free lifeo Scholarship emphasizes crime preventiono Amount given to date: $6200.00

Influence Beyond the Inmate• Impact of Pen‐pals on Correctional Systemo Inmates who maintain positive relationships withsomeone on the outside are mentally and physicallyhealthier, which impacts the prison environment.o Better conduct, less violence, strive for selfimprovementThe U.S. currently has the• Reduced Recidivism Ratehighest recidivism rate in theo Restored families world at 60%.o Lowers cost to taxpayerso Reduces risk of children Compare entering to the Norway prison at system 20%.This is a national crisis.

Challenges• Sensationalism by the media• Public misperceptions• Politicians who fear “soft on crime” labels

Summary and Conclusion• Maximizing the Pen‐pal’s Influence on the Inmate• The Future of WriteAPrisoner.com

Questions & Answers

Please visit WriteAPrisoner.com for additional information.