Corrections Concepts, Inc.

Across Oklahoma and the nation, federal, county, and city authorities every increasing need for bed space in the corrections industry. Experts in the field of criminology have argued and fought over treatment modalities, environmental settings, and social programs. All the while incarceration rates have continued to increase. This increased demand for bed space in the adult sector is due not only to the aging of the long-term offender, but also to the influx into the system from the juvenile sector. This increase in incarceration rates and the demand for even more bed space will continue until this wave of juvenile offenders into the adult population is decreased.

The ACADEMY has been designed from a faith-based perspective to meet this ever- growing need for habilitation and reintegration in the juvenile sector that will dramatically affect the long-term needs of the adult corrections program.

The ACADEMY’S designed population of 472 will be comprised of two separate age groupings. The first, ages 13-15, the second 16-18, both with anticipated commitment times of 12 to 24 months. This differentiation in age categories will allow target-centered programming in the area of education (GED, High School Diploma), vocational training (OJT), and secondary education at the college level, in accordance with individual needs. Programs will be in place to accommodate levels 2, 3, and 4.

This facility will be owned by a political subdivision, e.g. the Town of Wakita, Oklahoma allowing jurisdictions to contract directly with another governmental entity via of an Intergovernmental Agreement. This project is envisioned as a regional pilot project. Component parts of this project have been implemented before but a total project like this has never been done. A totally inclusive, cost-effective per-diem is proposed with annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index,(CPI) with the further protection of a 4% floor and a 12% ceiling. In order to be eligible for this proposed extraordinary rate, the utilizing jurisdiction must commit to entering into a Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for a minimum number of beds to be agreed on by both parties.

The unique features of the program are as follows:

• Residents are accepted within their last 12 to 30 months before their earliest release date in order to prepare them for coping in the real world;

• Residents will be accepted on a pro-rata basis directly from AD SEG;

• The Resident’s disciplinary record is the least weighted factor in the selection process. His health record and sincere desire to change are the most weighted factors;

• Residents sign an agreement, (with parental or guardian consent) with the management that states they will participate in all programs and employment and their worship practices will not be impugned.

• The daily rate includes transportation to and from the Utilizer’s central institution and our staff helping them to choose those Residents who want to participate in this program;

• Each resident upon arrival receives a needs assessment as to counseling, education, health care, and marketable skill employment. Individualized programs are established for each Resident to meet their needs;

• Counseling is a minimum of three hours per week per resident with a counselor to patient ratio of 1-24. Counseling includes drug and alcohol, family, sex therapy, violence therapy or counseling that is needed to meet the Resident’s dysfunctional needs;

• An EEOC opinion allows the Management to staff the facility with people of like faith;

• The education offered is basic literacy, GED, high school diplomas, vocational and technical training, and college level courses.

• The health care needs are met by having fully equipped dental and medical clinics onsite and an In-patient Transfer Agreement with a regional Acute Care Hospital. The Acute Care hospital would be very near Habilitation House/Academy site. The Inpatient Transfer Agreement calls for the hospitalization costs to be covered by the per-diem including associated transportation. The only preclusion is full blown AIDS.

• The Inter-Governmental Utilization Agreement (IGA) will mandate a dramatic reduction in the recidivism rate. (Which is presently, 67% according to the U.S. Department of Justice Statistics)

California, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and 34 other states are federally certified PIE (Prison Industry Enhancement) coordinators. Various companies have committed to hiring over four hundred (400) of the Residents at jobs within the facility that pay at least federal minimum wage at entry level. The wages will be spent in the following manner: (1) mandated 20% in a personal spending account, (2) at least 5% restitution to their victims or your victims fund, (3) 30% to the management company for room, board, and supervision, (4) court ordered child support, (5) support for their families, and (6) a savings account to assist them upon their return to the real world.

Finally, and more importantly, to teach and instill moral and social values, not by intimidation and indoctrination but by example and a unique provision of services plan greatly reducing recidivism. The object of the entire operation is to recreate the real world as closely as possible within the secure confines of an ACA accredited and certified medium security facility. Every aspect of the operation from its design and construction, its operation, and all of the programs
are aimed at allowing the Resident to learn and practice responsible choice making and other vital real world skills. The ex-offender will know that the other life style is available to him because he has been taught the skills necessary and has successfully practiced those skills. The final goal of returning the offender to the world as a responsible citizen can thus be achieved.

There are two final items that are funded and will come into effect upon the Resident’s release. One is a four (4) year tracking program that will follow the ex-offender’s success and quantify the success of the program. The other is a significant post release program that will start with the Resident’s family upon his arrival and continue past his release so that there is help on reintegrating into society particularly within that critical first 24 hours, then the first 2 weeks, and continued active and committed mentor support for as long as needed. This post release funding accounts for more than 10% of the total per diem and disbursed in the Utilizer’s Jurisdiction

Exhaustive, in-depth research has proven that there is no, not one statutory, regulatory, budgetary, constitutional, or even political reason that would preclude any state DOC, OJA, or the USBOP from participating in Wakita/CCI’s Habilitation House or Academy via an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA). Those that say they can’t, really mean they won’t.

Physical Plant design by Wiginton, Hooker & Jefferies, Dallas, TX