Date Completed

Winter 3-8-2025

Document Type

Masters Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

Abstract

This intervention is not just from another college student, but from an individual who lived the systems that are broken and continues to be broken. I have been in the juvenile institutions five times and adult penal system three times with the first being at seventeen years of age. The interventions, resources and services and services are slim with a short turn-around of 90 days and could be up to a year. One is released from the state institutions with 40$ gate money and told, “Stay out of trouble and don’t come back.” 90 days of housing and no other services outside of checking in with the parole/probation office the first 24-hours of being released and whatever requirements they are wanting one to do and maintain employment. The lack of mentors, fellowshipping, career paths with a felony conviction is extremely rough mentally, physically and spiritually. This intervention will indulge in the gaps in the system that are a large gaps and lack of time to have one be successful and continue to remain a statistic until the system changes or facility can bring in ones with lived experience with a set program backed with funding. SAMSHA 2012 reports 46.3 million people aged 12 or older (or 16.5 percent of the population) met the applicable DSM-5 criteria for having a substance use disorder in the past year, including 29.5 million people who were classified as having an alcohol use disorder and 24 million people who were classified as having a drug use disorder. The drug-related crimes make up 80% of the population in the penal system as 1.16 million Americans are arrested annually for the sale, manufacture, or possession of illegal substances as reported by Drug Abuse Statistics 2025.

As of today, the United States of America has nearly 2 million individuals in the prison system. That equals to be 363 of every 100,00. The recidivism rates of those numbers is astounding with 82% of these individuals. It costs 115.94 per day to house an individual in the penal system and 68,000 per year for the same individual. The inmate makes approximately .30-.90 cents per hour reported by Prison Policy 2024 Initiative. Governor Inslee reported the best way possible “What we’re doing basically is telling everyone who leaves our custody and our Department of Corrections a statement: We have provided you the services you need to succeed outside of our walls. So good luck, now don’t come back.”

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