Reentry Coalition

Our Vision 

Returning citizens will reintegrate into their communities, achieving success and independence.

Our Mission

The Pike County Reentry Coalition seeks to reduce recidivism by supporting returning citizens as they transition to their communities after incarceration.  Members of the Coalition, which includes private citizens, medical and therapeutic professionals, faith communities, employers, educators, non-profit agencies, and government entities, will help to facilitate the transition by identifying needs and making referrals to those agencies able to help individuals attain success and independence.

Contact
Cheryl Duquette
Frequently Asked Questions
What is recidivism?
Recidivism is a fundamental concept within the criminal justice system. According to the National Institute of Justice, it refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime.
What is Pike County's recidivism rate?
Pike County’s average recidivism rate over last 3 years is 19%. The Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF) defines a recidivist as an offender who is released from incarceration within the facility and comes back on a new offense, or a Probation/Parole violation, excluding bail commitments.
What is the Pike County Reentry Coalition?
The Pike County Reentry Coalition is a collaborative group of private citizens, medical and therapeutic professionals, faith communities, employers, educators, non-profit agencies and government entities formed in 2019 to help reduce recidivism locally by supporting returning citizens as they transition to their communities after incarceration. The coalition is supplemental to the work that is ongoing at the Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF).
When and where does the Pike County Reentry Coalition meet?
Unless otherwise noted, the Pike County Reentry Coalition meets on the last Wednesday of the month, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., at the Pike County Training Center, 135 Pike County Boulevard, in Lords Valley, PA. Due to COVID-19, PA Department of Heath guidelines for meetings and gatherings are in place. RSVPs are required for on-site meetings. A Zoom meeting option is provided to Coalition members to participate remotely.
Are Pike County Reentry Coalition meetings open to anyone?
Yes.
What are the goals of the Pike County Reentry Coalition?
The Pike County Reentry Coalition helps returning citizens to transition to their communities after incarceration by identifying needs and making referrals to those agencies able to help individuals attain success and independence. With a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD), the Coalition retained consultant Melanie G. Snyder, OWDS, MHFA to assist with the establishment of a formal Reentry Coalition and Reentry Strategic Plan, which outlined the following goals:

  • Prepare returning citizens for reentry
  • Educate & engage community members to reduce stigma and welcome/support returning citizens
  • Educate & engage employers to hire returning citizens
  • Coordinate services, share information, reduce duplication across agencies
  • Build capacity for safe, affordable transportation, housing, and other resources in short supply
  • Offer a robust menu of offender programs and life skills training at the Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF)
  • Facilitate positive support networks for returning citizens
  • Develop alternatives to incarceration
What kind of challenges do returning citizens face?
Barriers to successful reentry include substance abuse, mental health issues, lack of education and employment, lack of access to affordable housing and transportation.
What reentry resources does the Pike County Correctional Facility currently provide to Returning Citizens?

The Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF) provides substantial reentry programming, and a comprehensive community resource guide is provided to offenders upon admission to PCCF. More than 100 volunteers assist PCCF in offering 90 different inmate programs, including but not limited to:

  • Employment skills
  • Individual counseling
  • Drug & Alcohol rehabilitation
  • Spiritual development
  • Anger management and self-awareness
  • Victim services and awareness
  • Social activities
  • GED preparation and testing
  • A.R.R.O.W. Program (Actively Reducing Recidivism Opens Windows) for male offenders
  • C.O.R.E. Program (Correctional Offenders Reintegrating Effectively) for male offenders who have completed 30 days in A.R.R.O.W.
  • H.O.P.E. Program (Helping Offenders Promote Excellence) for female offenders
  • M.O.R.E. Program (Motivating Offenders to Reintegrate Effectively) for male offenders not eligible for A.R.R.O.W.
How does the Pike County Reentry Coalition support the reentry work already underway at the Pike County Correctional Facility?
The Pike County Reentry Coalition supports the reentry work underway at the Pike County Correctional Facility (PCCF) by maintaining continuity of wide-ranging support services and assistance. Coalition members work diligently to effectuate a warm handoff from incarceration to societal success by ensuring the provision of individualized aspects of concern which may hinder successful reintegration.