Northwest Regional Re-Entry Center (NWRRC), a non-profit corporation, has been in continuous operation since 1976. The organization is a 125-bed residential re-entry center exclusively providing transitional services to federal offenders as they re-enter society from incarceration, as well as probation clients serving sanctions for violation(s) of their supervised release. The Executive Director serves as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, reporting to a Board of Directors. The primary funding source for the organization’s budget is through contracts for services with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. Probation Office (Oregon). Operational and accountability standards are determined by the Bureau of Prisons contract requirements.
NWRRC’s population is made up of male and female “residents” whose legal statuses include: pre-release, pre-trial, public law, and direct placement. These institutionalized inmates coming from prison need mentoring, support, jobs and housing. Without these services they will likely fail and as a result they will return to criminal behavior, abusing drugs/ alcohol, victimizing their communities and in the end, will eventually return to prison. Many of them, if not most, sincerely want to avoid this spiral but do not have the support mechanism in their communities available to help them from becoming frustrated, overwhelmed and they are likely to make bad choices. In order to try to change this pattern, NWRRC provides some “in house” programming and resources to our residents. Residents also participate in a wide variety of programming outside of the facility as well. All of our programs are designed with the intent to improve the support and success of our residents so that they can accomplish the goal of successful re-entry back into their communities, families, housing and employment. Our organization also supervises residents on home confinement status with an electronic ankle bracelet and GPS monitoring system.
NWRRC has a staff of 39 committed people that includes: security monitors, case managers, a Social Service Coordinator, a Mental Health/Drug Abuse Counselor, an Assistant Director, an Administrative Office Manager, an Administrative Officer, and kitchen and maintenance staff. The building is a 29,000 square foot, three level, partially secure, dorm style residential facility with 94 beds in place and a permit to expand to 125. The facility and its residents are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by security staff, a comprehensive security camera system, and a law enforcement based, corrections oriented, computer tracking program called the ALERT system.
Our current Average Daily Population (ADP) is up from 68 in 2010/2011 to 80+ residents in the program and is on a projected upward trend. NWRRC revenue is based on three fees for service contracts with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Probation Office, and the U.S. Pre-Trial Services Office. Revenue received is based on billing for a contract specific daily per diem rate and a fee per Urinalysis (UA) test rate. NWRRC provides UA testing for U.S. Probation clients and averages 720 tests a month.
To be more effective and responsive to our mission, NWRRC is planning for expanded programming including adding mentors, culturally and gender specific and other support programs that will serve as an enhanced safety net both for the residents who are here and for the safety of the community where they will return.
NWRRC is a social justice, corrections, enforcement, treatment, and compassionate care work environment all rolled up into one organization. Our staff faces a variety of issues that come with our residents and their life experiences and choices. The occurrences of mental health, drug and alcohol dependency, criminal thinking error, post traumatic stress, trauma, cultural, and family dysfunction issues are very high amongst this population. Due to these realities it is very sad, very challenging, but can be very rewarding working with this population.
“Reconnecting federal offenders with their communities, families and guiding them towards finding jobs and housing. All with the intent of helping them make safe, successful and non-criminal choices for their future.”
Brian J. Martinek
Executive Director of NWRRC since September of 2010