Second Genesis Expands “Behind the Walls” Program at Maryland Correctional Institution for Women

Date Posted: April 30, 2009

Partly in recognition of our superior work in inmate assessment in 13 of its facilities, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Corrections awarded Second Genesis a contract to operate a 75-bed modified Therapeutic Community in the Maryland Correctional Institute forWomen (MCIW) in Jessup, MD. All inmates served by the MCI-W program are within 24 months of mandatory release and have been identified as having severe substance abuse histories as
indicated by theAddictions Severity Index (ASI).
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) grant showed that recurring criminal behavior and substance abuse within the MCIW population that involve psychological dysfunctions are very common. Under Secretary Maynard, the Department has adopted a treatment philosophy focused on successfully preparing offenders to return to their communities. As substance abuse treatment is a primary tool in combating criminal behavior, such programs are at the heart of a re-entry effort. Our plan is for Second Genesis counselors to deliver group and individual therapy sessions over a six-month program in a stand-alone modified therapeutic community. Staff-facilitated clinical groups will be scheduled at least twice daily,Monday through Friday, and include such topics and strategies as: chemical dependency education, relapse prevention and planning,pro-social skills development, victim awareness, anger management, trauma recovery, problem solving,communication skills and conflict resolution. We expect the inmates will benefit greatly from the“Second GenesisApproach and Philosophy”. Established to address the need for a more intensive treatment alternative, this is a successor program to the Friends/MCI-W DrugTreatment Project (funded by NIDA), part of NIDA’s PatuxentWomen’s Project from 1995-1999.
Overall, Second Genesis is successfully navigating these troubling economic times. All programs are doing well and expanding in a number of areas. We recently received word that three contracts with the State of Maryland’s Mental Health and Hygiene/Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration have been renewed: The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Services of Criminal Justice Patients (Level 111.3), Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Services for Criminal Justice Patients (Level 111.5) and Statewide Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Services for PregnantWomen andWomen with Children (Level 111.3).We also will continue the Baltimore Substance Abuse Service contract for Women and Children at Mellwood in Upper Marlboro,Maryland.