The virgin islands bureau of corrections is planning to offer residential substance use disorder treatment services to at least 25 inmates each year

The U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $128,048 Formula Grant under the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program (CFDA 16.593) to the Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The grant will fund the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections' plan to offer residential substance use disorder treatment services to at least 25 adult and juvenile inmates annually during detention or incarceration. The goal is to help prepare these individuals for successful reintegration into the community through reentry planning, aftercare services, and the implementation of evidence-based practices and multi-disciplinary treatment approaches. Expected outcomes include reduced recidivism, decreased community crime, and the establishment of parole supervision programs, along with regular program assessments focused on vocational training, job preparation, and skill-building services. The grant period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2028.

The services will be available to both the adult and juvenile populations during detention or incarceration, aiming to help them prepare for reintegration into the community. Reentry planning activities will be incorporated into their treatment programs, and aftercare services will be provided to assist them and their communities throughout the reentry process. The treatment facilities will be separate from the main correctional facility. The primary goal is to ensure that individuals participating in the treatment program will receive aftercare upon leaving incarceration. The program will also focus on implementing best practices for community-based RE-entry programs for individuals incarcerated in the bureau of corrections. This will involve activities such as evidence-based risk and need screening, coordinating correctional facility treatment with other human service and rehabilitation programs, and collaborating with federal assistance for substance abuse treatment and aftercare services provided by the department of health, including the substance abuse and mental health divisions, and the department of human services. Additionally, community-based, peer-group and faith-based organizations will be designated to provide post-release care coordination. Expected outcomes include the implementation of a multi-disciplinary team to address the RE-entry needs of individuals exiting the VI bureau of corrections, provision of evidence-based services, reduction in recidivism in the bureau of corrections, reduction in community crime, implementation of parole supervision programs, and regular program assessments. These assessments will include vocational skills training, job preparation or training programs, career exploration and planning, and skill-building services, including apprenticeships and occupational training.