Tag Archives: re entry program

May 29, 2012 · 3:43 PM

Why teen mom Amber Portwood needs a team…

Teen mom star Amber Portwood is making headlines for telling an Indiana judge that she would rather do jail time than more rehab. Does this make sense? Yes and no. First of all many media reports are that Portwood will serve out the remainder of a 5 year jail sentence in actual custody per her request. This is only partially true. On Thursday Portwood was being held in an Indiana jail on a contempt of court charge stemming from her testing positive while in a drug diversion program. Portwood told the judge “she was a bad girl” and couldn’t comply with the original court order and drug treatment. In February Teen Mom was sentenced to five years in an Indiana prison on drug charges, but the judge in the case said that all charges would be dropped if Portwood completed a drug diversion program.

Breaking it down it is obvious that Portwood needs a quality TEAM. If she were my client I would insist she saw a quality psychiatrist and an addiction specialist while completing her court mandated rehab. Yet Portwood seems convinced that serving 5 years in jail is the only way to get and stay sober, and the only way to stay out of legal trouble. Is this rational? Of course not and yet why would we expect a person in severe crisis like Amber Portwood to be able to make good choices?

The fact of the matter is that I work with people like Portwood every day. People who find themselves in legal trouble are also often dealing with addiction and mental health issues. I take into account the entire picture when helping clients and their families handle an arrest and potential jail time. The truth is that nobody is better off in jail than in a quality treatment program and it is likely that Portwood will still be able to make a pitch to the court for an alternative sentence. This, even after Portwood has failed drug tests and lied to her caseworker in order to get out of “required” meetings and testing. But of course!

Portwood’s brother Shawn told E! News that the system has failed her. The truth is that the system is not responsible for the choices of Amber Portwood- She is and yet is unable to make good choices due to her condition. What now needs to happen is a version of in-patient treatment that includes drug rehabilitation, therapy and community service. A true ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE. Why all three? I believe that everybody in crisis benefits from community service, as if the type of service fits the need, it will empower the person in trouble while also helping society. That is the key- EMPOWERMENT.

For now all we can do is hope that there is time for a quality and long-term outcome for Amber Portwood and her child. Remember that families are the forgotten consequences of crime. Change is possible Amber- never give up.

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert, insider and family legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show, Fox News and Nancy Grace. She is a weekly featured guest in the syndicated America Now radio program. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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Filed under alternatvive sentencing, drug abuse treatment, drug treatment programs, Prison Consulting

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March 28, 2012 · 11:22 AM

Lindsay Lohan and the target she wears as she re-enters society

 

Lindsay Lohan is entering a very interesting period for anybody who has served jail time and formal probation- FREEDOM. Yes, freedom for a former felon has its challenges. Freedom for Lohan and other high profile people is even more difficult. In fact, I always tell clients that prison is the easy part.

There are three very famous, very different high profile cases going through re-entry right now. Casey Anthony, Amanda Knox and Lindsay Lohan. All served some jail time and all have been released back to society with a new level of infamy. Anthony is the only one who has some probation to finish and who will have other conditions with her for a long time. But, the process of re-entry after any formal probation or incarceration is a difficult one.

People do well in prison and on probation because of the accountability. Once that accountability is lifted it is up to an individual to remember what they learned and how to translate that into free life. There are two components that make up a successful re-entry: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS and COMMUNITY TIES.  This is why visiting people inside prison and keeping in touch is so important. The fact is that over 95% of all people incarcerated in the U.S. will be released and most in less than less than 5 years. This means that we must do a better job to empower people and help them learn from their mistakes and pasts.

There are resources for some of those coming back to society but they are few and far between. Imagine you were coming back to a free society with little money, no job and a family to support? It is no wonder why so many people wind up in trouble again. This is compounded for a person like Lohan who has a definite target on her back. Just look at what went on last week with an alleged hit and run that resulted in a demand for money of course. Life will be difficult and everyday things can get in the way and even trip you up. My advice- be cautious and stick to some sort of routine that works with it’s own accountability. That could mean continued therapy, substance abuse programs and even something as simple as exercise and support groups. Whatever works!

I often coach people who are re-entering society and they are much more difficult than preparing people for prison. Freedom when you have lost is even more enticing and of course sweeter. But, it is a task to learn how to experience it and appreciate it properly. As I say, change is possible but it always takes hard work. You go Lindsay!

 

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert and legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today to Fox News. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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October 3, 2011 · 1:31 PM

Why the Amanda Knox case will be much different than the re-entry of Casey Anthony.

After a four-year ordeal, United States citizen Amanda Knox is finally heading home. Amanda Knox was convicted in the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007 in Italy. Knox, her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and another man were all convicted and given long Italian prison sentences. But, Knox and her family have denied her involvement and on appeal put up evidence that in fact there was NO DNA evidence to show that Knox was at the crime scene. In fact, the crime scene itself was contaminated and not properly preserved.

But, while the Italian media made Amanda Know into a villainess, the U.S. media has supported Knox and her family. Yet, it is clear that Knox herself acted in a very bizarre way after the murder at the crime scene. She was even seen kissing her boyfriend and doing cartwheels!!! Further, at her trial her statement that she read showed little empathy for the death of her former roommate and lots of grandiosity on Knox’s part. This did not win her any Italian fans and one would have hoped that she would have been coached better.

Yet, Amanda Knox will re-enter U.S. society as somewhat of a cult hero, and is sure to sign lucrative book and interview deals. So, why is America embracing her while we turned away from Casey Anthony? After all, both women were eventually acquitted of murder yet both have displayed very bizarre behavior to say the least.

I can tell you that the answer is simple. We are rooting for Knox in part because her family is so likeable and the Anthonys were not.  The Knox family is an asset where the Anthony’s were all one big liability. Further, the Casey Anthony case involved the death of a child and a mother who seemingly had no remorse. But, the two women do share the difficult transition back into society after spending several years in jail. This is not an easy process for anybody.

Re-entry is the key to changing our criminal justice system. In fact, without a successful re-entry many are bound to find their way back to jail and prison in other cases. The two main factors in a successful re-entry are family ties and community relations. My bet is that the Knox family will provide what is necessary to help their daughter. This is where Amanda Knox is way ahead of Casey Anthony. And, this is why people will want to read a book by Knox.

Remember, these ladies will be dealing with the trauma of prison for many years, as will their families. I suggest both need extensive therapy and quality support teams. Looking back it seems the Anthony team was looking for only a payday. They quickly found out that there is a big difference between fame and infamy. My advice to all of my clients when they prepare for prison is to begin preparing for re-entry because as I have said many times, Prison is easy, re-entry is tough no matter who you are.

Here is hoping that the Knox team realizes just how difficult a process this is and they get Amanda the help she will surely need for the long term.

Just as I told the Anthony team, there are resources everywhere that can help, but unlike the Anthony team, the Knox team is welcome to call me anytime.

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September 1, 2011 · 9:03 PM

Hey T.I.- Prison is easy- Re-entry is hard!!!

Free yesterday and back in the slammer today! Rapper T.I. and his behavior yesterday proved too much for the Feds. This was so predictable. One would think that he would know the rules by now.

T.I. was released from federal prison August 31 and was to report at an Atlanta Halfway House to begin his re-entry back into society yet again. A person may transfer from federal prison to a Halfway House via private transportation, but that mode of transportation must be approved, and so does who is actually transferring the released person. So, surprise, surprise when reports surfaced that T.I. arrived at the Atlanta house in a tour bus followed by several cars in a private “motorcade.” It is obvious that T.I. had been approved to be driven in one of the cars and then went on the tour bus. A big NO NO. The Bureau of Prisons is very particular about how people behave while they are in the custody of a Halfway House.

T.I. has a long history with the Feds. In fact, he served a very light seven months in Federal prison in 2009 after he was arrested for trying to by guns from an undercover Federal agent. This after he served time on other charges going back to 1998. The 2009 sentence was a revolutionary Alternative Sentence that combined light prison time with house arrest and community service. In that case T.I. was looking at a 10-year prison term. Yet, T.I. did not learn his lesson despite a reality show called The Road To Redemption and was sent back to prison in 2010 for violating probation in that case.

Now it seems T.I. is at it again. So, how do we explain this? SIMPLE- he has an utter lack of humility. The key ingredient in life after prison is a level of humility. It is the same thing I coach people to practice during their investigative phase and a trial. Hello Blago and Conrad Murray listen up!

The main message here is that we need judges to keep offering alternative sentences to people and yet cases like T.I. make it difficult for them. But hey, at least we have Michael Vick and a true example of humility, Restorative Justice and hard work.

Successful re-entry is possible, but just as I said on Nancy Grace, Prison is easy, re-entry is tough. T.I., change is possible keep working on it.

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Filed under alternatvive sentencing, Blago, celebrities, community service, Conrad Murray, Federal Prison, prison consultant, prison re entry, rapper T.I., Restoratice Justice

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August 19, 2011 · 6:47 AM

Casey Anthony-Perp Walk- What are the options???

There are days to go until Casey Anthony herself must show up in Florida to begin her one year of supervised probationSo, will she or won’t she? As of now Anthony is set to surrender to Orange County, Florida officials in one week. But, her lawyers have filed a stay and appeal. The appeal is to be heard and ruled on by Monday. As we all know, Judges are not often overturned on appeal.

Diane Dimond and Wendy Feldman

My bet, Anthony will have to serve her probation just like the rest of us. But, how, when, where??? She is not in Florida as Florida is a Felony Registry State. So, we would know if she was there. Sources have confirmed to me that Anthony did try to enter a rehab program for PTSD and other psychological issues. The question is did she stay there? If so, that could be one way to have her probation transferred. That because a disruption in treatment would be harmful to her. But, that raises the issue of public disclosure, her alleged lack of money etc…

Remember, Florida has declared Anthony indigent. Hence, she is still allowed to bill taxpayers for her criminal legal fees. But, if she is not in treatment and just lying low somewhere, Anthony has some serious issues to deal with. One may argue how she will be able to afford her ticket back to Florida, and how she will actually be able to hold a job. Remember, a lump sum payment for an interview is not a job that qualifies for probation, and it creates all kinds of other problems for her. For example, she has IRS liens, court courts, probation fees and more. Those will eat up most or all of a lump sum. And, they take priority over civil issues and Casey Anthony’s quest for high living!

However, the BAEZ team seems to have overestimated their meal ticket and interest in a large payment for Anthony. They also did not consider the financial obligations of her probation. Sloppy, sloppy. With this in mind, do not be surprised if the Baez team actually wants to show up in Florida and use this as a photo opportunity. This, much like a perp walk!! It is not out of the question to even have Baez attempt to sell the pictures of Casey landing and on her way to court. Cha ching, at least for Baez and Perry Mason.

Time will tell, but the sideshow continues and we are all still watching.

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