Currently:
Annually, Turnabout assists about 2,000 clients through our broad
spectrum of services including: Orientation and drop-in services,
Employment Search Program classes, Denver Metro Prisoner Re-entry
Initiative programming-including mentoring, County Jail classes, and
other outreach including job fairs and awareness services for those
transitioning back into the community to help reduce the recidivism
rate.
2005-present:
In 2005, Turnabout joined with lead agency The Empowerment Program
and other sub-contractors and submitted a grant to the Department of
Labor for the White House’s Faith Based Prisoner Re-entry
Initiative. The collaborative was 1 of 30 awarded out of 549
applications nationwide. Currently, we have the 2nd highest number
of enrollees in the nation. Also, our data on employment placement
is well over 50%. Turnabout specifically is providing 100
individuals with support services, mentoring, and case management.
We are also working with an additional 300 participants from the
other partners providing or coordinating limited hard-skills
training such as flagger and forklift certifications, computer
classes, Hazmat training, and Colorado Driver’s License – class B.
Statistics as of April 1, 2007 show that of Turnabout’s 54 enrolled
clients 39 obtained employment, which is 72%.
2006-present:
Turnabout twice weekly holds a 1 ½ hour orientation for drop-in
clients who have been formerly incarcerated. In 2006, 357 clients
were served through this resource.
2004-present:
Turnabout holds a bi-monthly Employment Search Program (ESP) class
where clients focus on goal-setting, resume building, interviewing
skills, and other skills helpful for securing and retaining
employment. In 22 months (ending December 31, 2006) this program
served 749 clients. In an 18-month survey conducted of 442 of those
referred to Turnabout’s ESP class from Community Corrections, only
78 (17.6%) have returned to custody, in comparison to the national
recidivism rate of 36%. In 2006, a bus token program was instituted
to assist individuals who completed our ESP program, agreed to stay
drug free, were able to work, and had I.D. and Social Security
Documents. Eighty two people enrolled, of which 17% failed and
returned to custody; however, of the 59 individuals who reportedly
found employment, only 10% returned to custody. The 4 to 5 weeks of
bus tokens cost between $20 and $25 per person.
2000-present:
Turnabout offers a weekly one and a half hour class at the Denver
County Jail, primarily bringing construction trade speakers to
encourage inmates and offer employment tips to those scheduled for
release. This program has served 1,391 clients through calendar year
2006. In 2007, this offering has expanded to present selected
inmates assistance classes and resources to transition successfully
to the community.
2005-March 2006:
Turnabout completed a contract with Denver City and County Office of
Economic Development Workforce Centers and intensively served 120
formerly incarcerated individuals, with only 11 being
re-incarcerated (a 10% recidivism rate). Average earnings for
ex-offenders were $11.39 per hour for the 92 Turnabout clients who
found employment and retained their positions for 3 to 6 months or
longer. All clients were provided with supportive services
(primarily bus tokens and work supplies or clothes), at an average
cost of $51 per client.
2005:
Turnabout was recognized by Denver Sheriff’s Department for 5 years
of exemplary volunteer service. Turnabout was thanked for providing
1,087 inmates with 1 ½ hour weekly classes “Introduction to
Construction” from July 2000- July 2005. .
2003-2004:
Turnabout conducted College/Technical School Preparation Program.
Out of 66 clients, 47 graduated; of those 47, more than half
attended college or technical school and 8 graduated.
1997-2002:
Turnabout conducted Construction Job Training Program in the areas
of framing, electrical, plumbing, and heavy equipment. Out of 246
enrollees, 122 graduated and 110 were placed in construction jobs.
Additional Successes in 2006:
Turnabout was aided by 33 volunteers (contributing 1703 hours at a
value of $46,240) donating their time to aid the program.
Fifty-eight clients earned Flagger certification, 55 received
bicycles and locks, 4 received driver’s license training and tests,
18 received eyeglasses, and 38 clients/families attended our summer
picnic and 111 attended our annual Christmas/Holiday Party.
Workshops, services, and job fairs reached over 1,300 inmates
throughout the year. Additionally, a television crew visited Denver
from national United Methodist Church headquarters, resulting in a
segment on UMtv and a lengthy center-fold article in the United
Methodist Reporter January 5, 2007. For these events, Alumni took
part and gave back to the community, which is truly our greatest
measure of success.