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Brighter Tomorrow's Collaborates With Suffolk County Sheriff's Department to Establish Women's Re-Entry Program

Written by Brighter Tomorrows  |  21. April 2014

Suffolk County, NY - April 21, 2014 - Women are one of the criminal justice system’s fastest growing populations. In the past decade, the number of women incarcerated in the United States prisons grew by 25 percent. Furthermore, the rate of unsuccessful reentry for women is remarkably high due to the fact that women are often overlooked with regard to re-entry programming. To reduce this number and improve the outcomes of women involved in the criminal justice system, Brighter Tomorrows, Inc., in collaboration with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department has established a Women’s Re-Entry Program.

The aforementioned program will provide clients with therapeutic case management and a continuum of counseling services to prepare women to live self-sufficient lives. Services provided through Brighter Tomorrows include; onsite programs at Riverhead Correctional Facility with our Mental Health Counselor, group counseling and case management. Upon release these women can continue to receive services through Brighter Tomorrows including long-term case management, court advocacy (available in Spanish), and individual and/or group counseling. 

Abusive families and relationships are strong themes in the lives of female offenders. It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of female prisoners have experienced some form of abuse, either as children or adults. “If women are to successfully reintegrate back into the community there must be a continuum of care that connects them to the community following their release” stated Dawn Brown Executive Director of Brighter Tomorrows. Among women, the most common pathways to crime are based on survival of abuse and poverty; this makes Brighter Tomorrows services a perfect fit for this population of women.

“I’m pleased to partner with Brighter Tomorrows, Inc. on this exciting initiative.  Women in jail have a unique set of problems and many of them have children, who are greatly affected as well.  Incarceration can be a time of reflection, and the beginning of a new life for those who really want to turn their lives around. We are fortunate to have Brighter Tomorrows working with women in the Riverhead jail and upon their release,” stated Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent F. DeMarco.

Brighter Tomorrows is a not for profit domestic violence agency that offers support services for non-residential and residential clients including but not limited to Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York City and surrounding boroughs. Our organization provides a myriad of free services ranging from shelter needs, counseling services, long term transitional housing, bilingual advocacy, support groups, parenting programs and community outreach. Brighter Tomorrows, Inc. believes every individual has the right to live in a safe and nurturing environment that is free from violence. 

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