The Monroe County Reentry Task Force (MCRTF) is a joint project of the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Monroe County Executive's Office and Catholic Family Center, it was created to deal with former offenders coming back to the community - more than 2,500 each year in Monroe County alone.
MCRTF is one of 14 County Reentry Task Forces across New York State, providing services to men and women leaving New York State correctional facilities, utilizing the Transition from Prison to Community model. This service model focuses on providing evidence-based services that address dynamic criminogenic factors such as poor decision-making skills, anti-social attitudes and relationships, and substance abuse. We work closely with the NYS Division of Parole and the NYS Department of Correctional Services, both at the administrative level in Albany, and locally with prison staff, and with parole officers and supervisors. Now in its second year, the Task Force is proud of the progress it has made in lowering the recidivism rate for clients we serve from a national average of 39% in the first year, to 11%.
The Task Force’s success relies on a strong collaboration between service providers (Huther Doyle, Restart Substance Abuse Services, Rochester Rehabilitation, Enriched House, Francis Center, Rochester Works, Monroe County Legal Assistance, Empire Justice Center, VESID), the Monroe County Department of Human Services, law enforcement, community corrections, faith-based and volunteer organizations—more than 50 organizations in total. Together, we tackle obstacles that have traditionally stood in the way of former offenders’ ability to gain immediate access to needed services and stabilize themselves in the community, so that they can move on to a safe, productive, crime-free life. For example, we have negotiated a process with the Department of Human Services that allows us to file applications for assistance 45 days in advance of release, so that the required waiting period happens while the offender is still incarcerated.
The MCRTF’s direct service program at Catholic Family Center, Prodigal Sons & Daughters, serves high-risk or high-needs clients referred primarily by NYS Parole, but also via referral from NYS DOCS, community agencies, and self-referrals. The MCRTF also contracts with local agencies to provide additional case management, housing and supportive services, such as Step by Step of Rochester, Enriche House, and Foodworx. The MCRTF is currently creating a Reentry One-Stop office, so that any former offender can receive accurate information about available resources to smooth their transition.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Coordinator Ann Graham at:
(585) 232-1840, x268 or
