'Circles' program supports ex-prisoners

After serving any amount of time in prison, walking out the door may be a relief... but for some people who've been incarcerated - release can be stressful.

"They face daunting challenges when they get out in terms of trying to reintegrate back into the community," said Jim Miller, a former Wisconsin Department of Corrections employee.

Miller said from finding a job to renting an apartment life "outside" isn't as easy as one might think.

Quinn Johnson found that out. Johnson - a parolee who - serving various sentences since he was 16 years old - has spent a total of 35 years in prison. Johnson just got out 18 months ago.

"When I first got out - I didn't know nothing about money and how to spend it right. Because this is the first time I had to budget my money. And the first set of tires I bought for my car-I got totally ripped off," explained Johnson.

Johnson got help from a new program - supported by Goodwill Industries-called Circles of Support. Convicted felons - who've committed to the program-meet either in a weekly group or one on one with volunteer facilitators--like Jim Miller -- who assist them by offering suggestions, guidance, advice and resources.

"The ultimate overall goal, is to reduce recidivism and to make our communities safer," said Danel Burchby, the regional coordinator for the Circles program. Burchby's role is to assist in expanding the program-which started as a grassroots effort in Oshkosh.

"The Department of Corrections has been involved with the local Corrections Concern Committee, which consists of ... people that really had an interest in being involved with corrections and the connections with the community," Oshkosh Correctional Institution warden Judy Smith said.

Smith said the DOC had been looking for a project to get involved with that would help successfully transition inmates back into the community.

A program in Ohio-caught the attention of the Corrections Concern Committee and it decided to take on the project.

"We understand that with corrections we have the expertise and knowledge in working with the offenders, but for a program like this to be successful, the community has to be involved. so from the beginning, we were looking to partner with the community," said Smith.

According to Smith, initial funding came from three community foundations and the Fox Valley United Way... more recently-the DOC gave the program a $12 thousand grant. It also provides staff support. But in order for the program to expand it needed more structure. Goodwill Industries stepped up offering in kind support-plus other resources.

The Circles of Support program is voluntary. Anyone who wants to participate must fill out an application and be willing to commit to the group.

"The people that are volunteering to be involved with Circles of Support tend to be higher need, higher risk people that they've burned their bridges, they don't have family support, they don't have jobs lined up, they don't have places to live, so they're needing to rely on other resources in order to be successful and the Circle can fill part of that gap," said Ann Schoen-a re-entry social worker at OCI. Shoen has worked with the Circles Program since its inception and said there are many success stories--however there are also failures.

"We can't make offenders always make the right choices and certainly we've had people that have made poor choices and whether it results in jail charges-there's no way to get around it," said Schoen.

Smith says inmates are given help - prior to their release - but the Circles Program is an added piece to help with the transition. She says re-entry is not just a corrections issue, it's a community issue.

Schoen adds, by establishing a connection with the community--real change can happen.

"When people care about something, they're less likely to harm it. So when we have offenders that are reconnecting to the community and see themselves as citizens and part of that community, they're less likely to do us harm," Schoen said.

The Circles Program exists in Green bay, Oshkosh and the Fox Valley... but Schoen says about 700 offenders are released to those areas in one years time. That's why Schoen feels the need to grow the program as quickly as possible.

"We're all here, because we want less crime, less recidivism, fewer victims, fewer crimes, and circles can play a small role in helping make that happen," said Schoen.

Quinn Johnson says his life is better because of Circles. "They're like my lifeguards, because I ain't never swam in responsible waters before. So these are the people that watch over me and make sure I stay afloat," said Johnson.

Similar programs exist in Madison and Milwaukee, however this is the first time the Department of Corrections has partnered with a community program.

Right now Oshkosh and the Fox Valley each have two circles, Green Bay has one circle.

There are approximately 30 offenders in the program-and about 40 volunteer facilitators.

If you are interested in volunteering, or participating with the Circles of Support program call (920) 968-6832.