Starting fresh post incarceration can be challenging, but thanks to an innovative program spearheaded by Sheriff Kevin Coppinger and the Essex County Sheriff's Department, justice-involved individuals are getting a second chance at life.
Prior to becoming sheriff, Sheriff Coppinger spent 32 years as a police officer in the city of Lynn and during the last seven of those years, he served as Chief of Police. A big frustration he felt while serving was seeing individuals get arrested, go through the criminal justice system, all to come back to the community, with limited resources, and repeat the cycle. That was one of the main reasons he ran for sheriff, to find a better way to serve individuals post-incarceration and reduce recidivism.
"Every police officer knows the frustration of seeing people arrested over and over again to only be released from the criminal justice system without any services to help them get back on the straight and narrow. I saw this over and over again when I was officer in Lynn and then chief," said Sheriff Kevin Coppinger. "When I became Sheriff, I knew there was an opportunity to halt the revolving door of justice for so many individuals who just need that little bit of help to fix their lives. I assembled the greatest minds in re-entry within our department and Star was born."
The Supporting Transitions and Reentry (STAR) Program is a community-based support center for justice-involved individuals providing educational, vocational, and clinical support as well as enhanced case management aimed at reducing recidivism. Centers are located in Lawrence and Lynn, serving all of Essex County and beyond.
Essex Sheriff Kevin Coppinger meeting with staff members.
Star Programming
Some examples of clinical programming include Anger Management, Parenting Relapse Prevention, Seeking Safety, drugs and Alcohol, Thinking Errors, and Victim Empathy. Vocational programming includes the use of Vocational and Career Inventories, Digital Literacy and Equity, Bridge to Work, Connection to Career Centers, Virtual Vocational Training Programs, and Connection to Community Vocational Training. The educational programming offered at STAR includes Adult Education, High School Equivalency Test (HiSet) Preparation, Connection to Community Education, Bridge to College, and Small Group Instruction.
Case managers, also referred to as "navigators," focus on each person's strengths and targets their individual needs. Objectives are designed in smaller 30-day "steps" to help reach goals, and schedules are flexible to help achieve more in the community. Navigators pay particular attention to factors that could impede progress such as lack of transportation, unstable housing, or poor self-esteem and work to address those needs.
Staff pose with their STAR Year in Review highlight board celebrating the anniversary of opening up the program.
"STAR is here for you as long as you are prepared and want to make changes," said Kevin W., a STAR participant. "They will help you get your life back in order. My thinking has changed for the better since attending clinical programming at STAR."
Many of the clinical, educational, and vocational programs offered in the jail are also offered at STAR, allowing for continuity of support and programming in the community.
"This community-based program gives justice-involved people a leg-up, instead of putting them in leg shackles. We partner with hundreds of different community partners to address all the barriers in leading a successful life as a citizen - housing, employment, education, counseling, and more," Sheriff Coppinger said. "It's a program that is not only rewarding, it's forgiving. Our STAR navigators know that the path to success is sometimes wrought with stumbling blocks and that's how so many of our clients are able to achieve success."
Referrals come from the following areas: the courts, including pre-trial and those sentenced to probation; corrections, any individual leaving a county jail or state prison and returning to Essex County; the community, individuals with current or a history of justice involvement living in the community; and often referrals are made by community partners, police, parole, family, friends, and self-referrals.
"One of the most unique pieces to STAR is you don't have to be arrested or coming off a jail sentence to be accepted to this program. It's by referral," Sheriff Coppinger said. "This means a concerned loved one or a neighborhood police officer can refer a person to STAR before the person finds themselves arrested. It means people who know they are headed down the wrong path can walk into a STAR office and know that they will get the services they need to help stay out of the criminal justice system. This program is about preventing crime before it happens."
The STAR model is built upon a risk-assessment tool (ORAS - Ohio Risk Assessment System) to inform case planning to best serve the justice-involved population. Each center provides nearly 200 hours of center-based clinical, educational, and vocational programming a month. Over 31% of all individuals reporting unemployment at the time of intake were able to secure full-time or part-time jobs during their time at STAR. Many participants have passed HiSet subtests with several passing all subtests and earning their HiSet.
Since April 2022, there have been 1252 referrals, 304 are still pending intake and 455 have been served. While some of the participants are stipulated through conditions of probation or parole, 67% of the 455 served have been voluntary. Several participants that were initially stipulated stayed at the center for ongoing services after meeting their conditions and no longer under the supervision of probation or parole. The rate of voluntary attendance speaks to the skills, dedication, and compassion of the staff, comprised of a multi-disciplinary team.
"The STAR Program is a wonderful program with many benefits that will help you in the future," said Sonia S., a STAR participant. "The program helped me in so many ways and especially in furthering my education and creating my own resume and also with financial management. I would recommend this program to whomever is in need of assistance."
Graduates
There have also been 56 graduates since April of 2022. Of the 56, 10 females, and 46 males graduated. At the one-year post-graduation recidivism rate was 7.7%. 36 graduates were also working full0time at the time of program completion, two were full-time students, and two individuals were retired, five receiving disability benefits, and one on maternity leave.
Staff hold graduation ceremonies for participants who complete the program.
"I've been in the system for a long time and STAR met with me while I was still in custody," said Amy L., a STAR participant. "My Navigator helped me with my court cases which were then dropped, and I got custody of my daughter back. The case management I received was super helpful. STAR was able to lead me in the right direction."
Three STAR participants celebrate their graduation from the program.
Hampden Sheriff Nick Cocchi poses with Essex Sheriff Kevin Coppinger and his staff after receiving the Program of the Year award from the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association.
At the Inaugural MSA Law Enforcement and Corrections Award Ceremony in November of 2023, STAR was awarded the Program of the Year by the 14 duly elected sheriffs in Massachusetts. This award was given to the program for the dedication to improving public safety outcomes, reducing recidivism, and ensuring successful reentry for those returning to our communities.
STAR is making significant strides in reducing recidivism and helping justice-involved individuals thrive in the community. Through comprehensive programming and support, STAR is providing the necessary tools and guidance for individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
_________________________
Jordan Noe is the Director of Communications at the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association. A proud alumna of the University of Florida, Jordan holds a degree in Telecommunications with specializations in news and political science. Jordan's passion for storytelling stems from her three and a half years in television news as an anchor/reporter. Jordan resides in central Massachusetts with her husband and two dogs, whom she adores deeply. For more information, she can be contacted at Jordan.Noe@mass.gov