Correctional halfway houses in New Jersey are under scrutiny with due cause

Among state correctional halfway houses reports of violence, drug use and escapes are rampant. While the idea of a transitional facility helping inmates to adjust to society may be sound, there appear to be horrible political barriers that impede proper oversight to these systems. In an undoubtedly troubled economy, poorly utilized resources are especially intolerable.

When stories surface such as the one this past summer, where inmate David Goodell from Logan Hall escaped and killed Vivianna Tulli due to poor security and oversight, it opens a proverbial can of worms that is hard to ignore.

 

 This is only one of approximately 5200 escapes since 2005. During hurricane Sandy there were reports of 15 escapes at once in one facility among others. http://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/nj_politics/halfway_houses.html

At Bo Robinson correctional facility in Trenton, a janitor sexually assaulted a female inmate for weeks before she was transferred to another facility in 2009. As the story came out so did many other sad truths about the facility. Gangs and violence forced some employees to quit. The number that hits home for NCADD-NJ and our efforts is that when this correctional halfway house was investigated, 73% of the inmates tested positive for drugs. This is consistent with the high number of substance abuse found among prisons. If quality substance abuse and mental health services were actually being provided in a clinically sound way, the number of inmates would be significantly reduced in both the prisons and step down halfway houses. This alone would save the state money. Instead, operators continue to build additions to accept more prisoners while lining their own pockets, as they are paid by the inmate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/nyregion/at-bo-robinson-a-halfway-house-in-new-jersey-bedlam-reigns.html?pagewanted=all

One can’t help but wonder if these horrifying truths are in large part due to political contracts and egregious mismanagement of funds. A particular company being looked at right now is The Kintock Group, A “non- profit” organization that is the second largest operator of correctional halfway house facilities in NJ. The Kintock Group is given government contracts to operate several of the NJ correctional halfway house facilities each year. When the founder has been paid over $7 million dollars in the past decade, at what point is an organization considered for-profit? The organization has near $40 million in revenue. It seems they simply call themselves non-profit because they provide some “community services”. There is little accountability and clarity as to where these contract dollars are going. Also lacking is oversight as to whether services that are claimed to be provided, such as:

• Community Resource Centers
• Employment education and placement
• Substance abuse and mental health treatment
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Adult basic education and GED preparation
• Life skills education
• Community referrals
• Housing placement

 are truly provided to inmates. Not to mention appropriate training and compensation for employees. The extent to which misappropriation of funds is occurring has yet to be determined due to the inability to investigate. Although Democrats in Trenton are not afraid to make waves with the entire issue, it may not be enough to demand that these dysfunctional systemic issues are properly addressed. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/30/nyregion/operator-of-new-jersey-halfway-houses-paid-millions-to-founder.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20121230&_r=0

 

 

Recovery Voices Count at the DHS Budget Forum

Taking one of the few remaining seats at the recent DHS budget forum, I was overwhelmed by the number of people with stories pertaining to recovery, which showed the need, at the very least, to sustain current funding levels for treatment. I was also profoundly moved by the ongoing suffering of active addiction as a direct result of inadequate funding. Although the forum was for all developmental disabilities, including-retarded citizens, hearing impaired, and the blind, the recovery presence proudly dominated the arena.

Given only three minutes each to make their case, NCADD-NJ advocates focused on issues such as recovery communities, bridging the treatment gap, and the state’s Good Samaritan Bill, which would give immunity to anyone calling 911 to give care to some who overdosed.

Some leaders told their stories through the analogy of addiction and the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. This image helped illustrate the wreckage associated with addiction as a chronic disease. It crystallized the fact that addiction not only affects the addicted, it changes the course of the lives for their children, parents and loved ones. A chance at recovery can mean the difference between a sad and hopeless life for a child and one filled with hopes and dreams.

 NCADD-NJ Advocacy Leader Kathy Brown explained how her 14 years of long-term recovery afforded her a career as an adjunct professor and her three children a decent life. One of her children just passed the bar exam to become a lawyer. Many would agree this is a testament to the domino effect of recovery.

NCADD-NJ Leader, Cindya Mercado 

Another NCADD-NJ advocate, Cindya Mercado, who helps to run the first state Recovery Center at Eva’s Village in Paterson, told her touching story of addiction and recovery. It is because of her journey that she is able to help hundreds of others in this effective recovery community center of which we need so many more.

Concerning the treatment gap, the Leaders presented the alarming statistic that some 800,000 people in NJ are in need of treatment, yet only 5-7% of them receive it. People are dying in part because waiting lists for treatment are just too long. Many who need treatment have to hope that a fellow addict doesn’t show up for treatment just so they have a chance at life.

Parents spoke up who have lost their children as a result of an overdose, which may have been prevented if a law such as the recently vetoed Good Samaritan Bill had been in effect. Although DHS cannot control the Governor’s veto, it doesn’t hurt to voice these tragic truths publically to help change attitudes and move the policy forward.

Some of NCADD-NJ staff drove home the reality that they are living proof that many people who suffer from the disease of addiction absolutely DO recover and lead productive lives. In order to see more of these successes we need additional treatment dollars for quality treatment and recovery centers to begin to meet the demand for many who have not even had one chance at recovery. I can only hope that these words impacted the decision makers-as they touched me - when the budget hearing was over and decisions for the FY 2014 are being made.

Dorene Kinloch
NCADD-NJ Communications Specialist &
Staff Writer